“Mom, what have you done?” — the daughter practically shouted over the phone. — “A shelter dog? And not just any dog — old and sick? Are you out of your mind? You could have signed up for dance classes instead!”

Nuria Segovia stood by the window.
She watched a white veil slowly descend over the city.
The snowflakes danced in circles, landing softly on rooftops, settling on tree branches, and shattering under the feet of the few late-night passersby.
Lately, standing by the window had become a habit.

She used to wait there for her husband to return from work, arriving late, tired, his voice hoarse.
The kitchen light glowed softly, the dinner was set, and they would chat over a cup of tea…

Gradually, their conversations dwindled.
Her husband started coming home even later, avoiding her gaze, answering with short phrases.
And then one day…

— Nuria, I’ve been meaning to tell you… I’ve met another woman. We’re in love, and I’m asking for a divorce.

— What? Divorce? What will happen to me, Alberto? — Nuria felt a sharp pain under her shoulder blade.

— Nuria, we’re adults. Our children are grown and have their own lives. We’ve been together for nearly thirty years. But we’re still young — we’re just in our early fifties. I want something new, something fresh.

— And what am I then? Old, worn out? — Nuria whispered, stunned.

— Don’t exaggerate. You’re not old…
But with her, I feel thirty again.
Forgive me, but I want to be happy — he said, kissing her on the head before disappearing into the bathroom.

He washed away their marriage while cheerfully humming, while an unbearable sadness fell heavily on Nuria’s shoulders.
Betrayal. What could be more bitter?

Nuria lost track of time: the divorce, Alberto moving in with his new partner.
And then came the gray days.

She had lived for her children, for her husband.
Their problems had been her problems, their illnesses, their joys, their successes.
And now…

Nuria spent hours standing by the window.
Sometimes she would glance into a small handheld mirror inherited from her grandmother.
There, she saw a sad eye, a lonely tear between emerging wrinkles, and a gray strand at her temple.

She was afraid to look into a full-length mirror.

— Mom, you need to find something to occupy yourself — her daughter said, rushing out the door.

— What, sweetheart? — Nuria answered in a muted voice.

— I don’t know. Books, dance classes for seniors, exhibitions…

— Sure, for “those who are already past it”… — Nuria muttered bitterly.

— Oh, Mom, sorry, I’m in a hurry!

Surprisingly, her son Alejandro showed more compassion:

— Mom, I’m really sorry for what happened.
Irene and I are planning to visit you for New Year’s. You’ll meet her. It’ll cheer you up.

Nuria loved her children, but she marveled at how different they were…

One evening, scrolling through social media, she found an ad:

“Open House Day at the Dog Shelter. Bring your children, friends, and family. Our residents will be thrilled to meet new visitors!”

There was also a list of items the shelter needed.
Nuria read it once, twice.

— Blankets, old sheets, towels… I’m sure I have something — she thought.

From the window, she mentally reviewed what she could donate or buy with her modest salary.

Ten days later, she stood in front of the shelter.
The taxi driver helped her unload heavy bags filled with blankets, rags, a rolled-up carpet, and mats.

Shelter volunteers assisted the visitors, carrying sacks of food, bedding, and gifts for the dogs.

Later, volunteers divided the visitors into groups, guiding them through the kennels, telling each dog’s sad story…

Nuria came home exhausted.
She couldn’t even feel her legs.

— Shower, dinner, sofa. I’ll think later — she told herself.

But “later” never came.
Images kept spinning in her mind: people, cages, dogs.

And those eyes…
Eyes she had seen reflected in her little mirror — eyes full of sadness and loss of hope.

One elderly, gray little dog especially haunted her.
She lay motionless in a corner, unresponsive.

— This is Lady. A Japanese Chin.
Her owner abandoned her at a very old age.
Lady is twelve years old.
With proper care, she could live up to fifteen.
But Lady is old, sick, and sad.
Sadly, dogs like her are rarely adopted — sighed the volunteer.

Nuria stood in front of Lady’s kennel.
Lady didn’t react.
She lay there like a forgotten, dusty toy…

Throughout the week at work, Nuria couldn’t get Lady out of her mind.

Something stirred deep inside her:

— Lady is my reflection. I’m not that old yet. But I’m alone.
My children are gone, my husband discarded me like a piece of trash.
But I am not trash!

Determined, Nuria called the shelter.

— Hello, I was at the Open House. I’d like to visit Lady, the elderly dog.

— Of course! Come next weekend — replied the volunteer cheerfully.

That night, from her window, Nuria watched a man playing with a large dog in the courtyard.
The dog ran, chasing and returning a ball with joy.

The weekend approached.

— Hello, Lady — Nuria said, crouching beside her.

Lady didn’t move.

Nuria sat on the floor in her old jeans and began to talk to her…
She told her about her life, her children, her lonely apartment.

An hour passed.
Slowly, Nuria extended her hand and gently touched Lady’s head.

Lady sighed.

Nuria kept stroking her, slowly and steadily.
Lady, after a moment of hesitation, leaned her head into Nuria’s hand.

As she was leaving, Nuria caught Lady’s deep brown gaze — questioning, hopeful.

— Wait for me. I’ll be back — she whispered, locking the kennel.

She rushed to find the volunteer.

— I want to adopt her.

— So soon?

— Yes. You said seniors rarely get a chance. I want to give her one.

— Lady is ill, she will need care and expenses. Are you ready for that?

— I raised two wonderful children. I can handle it.

They signed the paperwork.

A few hours later, Nuria entered her apartment, carrying Lady wrapped in a towel.

She gently placed her on the floor.

— Welcome home, Lady. Let’s learn to live again.

Nuria took a few days off to care for her.
Veterinary visits, tests, grooming, dental cleanings…

Lady turned out to be extremely well-behaved.
Nuria set down pee pads and took her out early in the morning and late at night to avoid overwhelming her.

One day, her daughter called:

— Mom, what have you done? Are you okay?

— I’m doing great, thanks for asking.

— A sick, old shelter dog! You could have signed up for dance classes instead!

— My dear, your mother is still young.
I’m fifty-three years old.
Healthy, beautiful, and independent.
And that’s what I taught you!

— But, Mom…

— No more “buts.”
You have your life. Your brother Alex is far away.
Your father practically traded me for a teenager.
Learn to respect and accept my decisions.

Nuria hung up, sighed, and made herself a coffee.

Later, Alejandro called:

— Mom, you did the right thing. I’m proud of you.
Do you think you’ll have the patience?

— I raised two kids.
I’ll manage — Nuria laughed.

She didn’t tell anyone that, during her evening walks with Lady, she met Diego — the man from the courtyard.
Divorced, he too had adopted his dog Alarico from a shelter.

Little by little, Diego and Nuria grew closer…

On December 31st, the doorbell rang.
Lady and Alarico barked happily as they ran to greet the guests.

Alejandro announced:

— Mom, I’m not waiting until midnight.
This is Irene.
I love her.
And you’re going to be a grandmother!

— And we’re adopting a little dog too — he added, laughing.

That night, there were no sad windows in the city.
Only music, hugs, and joy.

Even at the shelters, the animals who hadn’t found homes yet seemed to sense something special — hope.

May we all be happy!

And from our sweet boy Filipo — who no longer remembers his life at the shelter — we send you lots of love!