**Archie… Our Guardian Angel…**
*»And I crowned you… And gave you to none… And in my way, I brought you joy… And kissed you… Kissed you… Kissed you… Kissed you…»*
Victor soared on the wings of love, racing home to his beloved Maryanne in his cherished «swallow» of a car after three long months working away. The weight of his earnings warmed the inner pocket of his coat. His heart sang, rushing toward loves embrace. Spring lingered in the air, and the crisp breeze brushed his face like a tender caress. *»And I crowned you…»*
As he crossed a narrow bridge, his eye caught movementa dog, struggling in the icy river, weakened and gasping for life. *»Kissed you… Kissed you… Kissed you…»*the familiar melody pulled him toward home, toward Maryanne. *»Poor little thing…»* Victor hesitated but drove on.
Maryannes smile… Spring… Love… And that poor creature trapped in the freezing water. *»Blast it!»* Victor cursed under his breath and turned the car around.
He parked by the bridge, stripped to his shirt, and waded into the river, breaking the thin ice with his bare hands. Blood trickled from his cuts, but he reached the doga massive, emaciated beastand pushed it toward the bank. The ice cracked beneath them; the dog had no chance on its own.
Shivering violently, Victor dressed quickly, only then taking in the creature hed saved: a towering, sandy-coated Labrador, watching him intently, trembling but unwilling to leave.
«Hey, lad! Youre no straywheres your owner?» The dog only stared, its whole body quivering.
Victor opened the car door. «Get in, mate. Youre coming home.» The Lab leapt onto the back seat and settled, as if it had always belonged there.
Dusk settled as they neared homeuntil traffic snarled to a halt. A lorry and two cars had collided. Police cars, ambulances… A chill crept over Victor. He glanced back. The great dog snored softly, warm and dry now. *»If not for him…»*
«Maryanne, my love!» Victor swept her into his arms, spinning her on the doorstep, kissing her breathless. And all the while, the dog sat quietly, grinning. A new home. A new life. It already adored this delicate woman in her bright dressing gown, the scent of beef stew and roasted chicken. And Victor? It had claimed him the moment he pulled it from deaths grip.
«Oh! Whos this?» Maryanne finally noticed their guest, arching a brow at her husband.
«Our guardian angel. Archie. The newest member of the family.»
Maryanne knelt, offering her hand. *»So my name is Archie now?»* The dog sniffed, licked her fingers, thenovercomeslathered her whole face in kisses.
And so Archie joined them. Archie the Hippo (for his size). Archie the Rascal (for devouring slippers). Archie the Menace (for drenching the cat in drool). And Archie the irreplaceabletheir angel, their joy, their life.
They lived in a sturdy, welcoming house in the heart of town, inherited from Victors parents. A spacious kennel was built for Archie, though in winter, he dozed on a mat by the hearth.
Life flowed quietly. Victor worked awayjobs at home paid pennieswhile Maryanne stayed behind, no longer alone. Soon, her rounding belly hinted at news she hadnt yet shared.
One stifling summer evening, Maryanne took Archie for a stroll through the wooded lane. The air hung heavy. Laughter and music from nearby youths set Archies fur bristling.
«Well, well! Look whos here!» Two drunken lads swaggered toward her. «Fancy a bit of company, love?»
Maryannes blood ran cold. Archie strained against his muzzleuseless now. Why had she put it on? Hed never bitten a soul.
«Come on, sweetheart,» one leered, reeking of ale, grabbing her wrist
She dropped the lead.
The lads had a knife. They slashed at Archie as he lunged. Again. Again. Blood soaked the grass. Maryanne screamed, begged, but they only fled when Archie collapsed.
*»And I crowned you…»* Victor was nearly home when Maryanne called. «The vetnow! Hes dying!»
Archie lay on the table, dwarfed by tubes and bandages. Victor choked back sobs. «Dont leave us, lad.» He kissed the dogs feverish noseand, by some miracle, Archies eyelids fluttered.
He fought. He came home. He met baby Johnny, showered them all with five more years of devotion, and was mourned by the entire family when his time came.
Little Johnny, solemn at the graveside, declared, «We need a new Archie now. I cant live without one.»
Love works wonders. Its true. Love one another. Love the creatures who share this earth. For who knows what form well take in the next life? Perhaps a dog named Archie, drowning in an icy stream. Or perhaps that small, saved soul was heaven-sent to guard you when darkness comes.
