My name is Sophie Green and I have always loved animals.
After many years of living alone in a small flat, I started to feel a little lonely.
I loved the idea of having a furry friend to welcome me home, keep me company and bring joy into my life.
That’s when I decided to get a dog.
I was well prepared.
I wanted to get a dog specifically from a shelter to give him a second chance at a loving home.
I walked around the local shelters for weeks trying to find the right pet.
There were so many adorable dogs, each with their own story, but I was looking for one that was just right for me – calm, friendly and easy to be around.
Finally, after a few weeks of searching, I came across a dog named Max.
He was a medium-sized dog, golden brown in colour, with expressive eyes that seemed to hide whole stories.
His coat was a little ruffled, but he had a kind and affectionate nature.
When I saw him, I knew he was the one.
I filled out the paperwork and within a few days Max was already in my home.
The first few weeks were wonderful.
Max was exactly as I had imagined him to be.
He was affectionate, obedient and very friendly.
In the evenings I would walk him in our neighbourhood and watch him play with his new toys in the living room.
He was making my flat a real home.
But one afternoon, the unexpected happened.
I was walking with Max when I happened to bump into someone I hadn’t seen in years-it was Luke, my ex-boyfriend.
We had dated for a few years before we broke up, and after the breakup we had barely spoken to each other.
Our breakup was amicable, but there was always some awkwardness left in the relationship.
It was strange to see him again after all these years, but I smiled at him as he approached.
Hi, Sophie! Wow, it’s been a long time,” Luke said in surprise.
I smiled. – Yes, it really has. How are you?
I’m fine, work takes up a lot of my time,’ he replied, then looked down at Max, who was wagging his tail happily. – ‘Is that your dog? He’s so cute.
I nodded. – ‘Yes, I got him from the shelter a couple of weeks ago. His name is Max.
Luke sat down to pet Max, and suddenly I noticed something strange.
For a moment there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes.
Wait a minute…” he straightened up. – Is that… Max? The same Max I had?
I froze.
For a second I thought I’d misheard him.
What do you mean? – I asked, confused.
Luke’s expression turned serious.
I mean it looks like the same dog I had before we broke up.
I got him from a shelter a few years ago.
He was my best friend.
I can’t believe it’s him.
My heart started racing.
Wait, are you saying Max was yours?
Luke nodded slowly, keeping his eyes on Max.
Yeah.
He was my dog.
I kept him for a long time, but then I had to give him away.
Not because I didn’t love him.
It… had to do with personal circumstances.
I needed to move to a place where pets weren’t allowed, and I had to part with him.
I stood there, trying to comprehend his words.
Max – my Max – used to belong to Luke.
The dog I had come to love and care for wasn’t just a stray animal with a sad story.
He was a part of my past in ways I hadn’t even expected.
This realisation came down on me like a ton of bricks.
Luke was standing right in front of me, stroking the dog that used to be his, and all I felt was confusion.
‘How do you know it’s the same dog?’ – I asked, needing confirmation.
Luke pointed to the distinctive white spot on Max’s chest.
“He’s always had that spot.
He chewed on a toy that made a sound he really liked.
And he hated bathing – still does, doesn’t he?” – he laughed softly.
I looked at Max, who was wagging his tail happily and breathing heavily.
I remembered the day I’d adopted him.
The shelter had told me that Max was a stray, but they hadn’t mentioned anything about his past.
It was clear now that they hadn’t told the whole truth.
I felt betrayed by this shelter.
They didn’t tell me that the dog I had taken in had once been given to my ex – the man I had spent so many years with.
‘I can’t believe it,’ I said quietly, almost under my breath.
Luke looked genuinely surprised by my reaction.
“I didn’t mean for it to be awkward, Sophie.
“I didn’t mean for it to be awkward, Sophie.
I just thought you should know.
I didn’t want you to feel weird finding out his story.”
I nodded, still digesting what I’d said.
‘Thanks for telling me,’ I replied, though I couldn’t shake the feeling of contradiction.
I had grown to love this dog, and now, after learning about his past with Luke, I felt attached to the memories I was trying to get rid of.
Luke was quiet for a moment and then spoke again.
“Look, if you ever need anything, feel free to contact me.
I just wanted you to know – Max has always been a good dog.
He deserves a loving home.”
I nodded, still in shock.
“Thank you, Luke.
I’ll keep that in mind.”
We stood there for a bit longer, exchanging polite phrases, but the only thing on my mind was the dog in front of me, the dog that had once belonged to my ex.
It seemed unreal.
Eventually, Luke said goodbye and left, and I was left standing there, holding Max’s leash, with a million thoughts in my head.
I went home and spent the rest of the day with Max, trying to sort out my feelings.
I loved this dog.
He was mine now, and I had given him a safe home.
But knowing about his past with Luke made me wonder.
Could I keep him in my life without feeling weird about the connection to the past?
Would I really be able to let go of these experiences?
In the days that followed, I realised one important thing.
Max had become a part of my life on his own.
Just because he’d once belonged to Luke didn’t change the fact that he was now my dog.
I wasn’t going to let his past define our relationship.
He had found a home with me, and that was the most important thing.
I took him in to give him a better life, and he gave me the love and support I needed.
In the end, I realised that I would always be a little surprised at how our paths with Max crossed.
But I also knew that sometimes life brings unexpected connections – and if given a chance, they can become something truly special.
