Tochi had a soft spot for animals for a really long time. Though dogs were his favorite, they had a special place in his heart chambers. Perhaps it was how they loved unconditionally, or their unwavering loyalty to their owners—there was just something about them. And he was ready to take up that task of training them, teaching them, and of course, loving them.
But life had its own plans for him as well.
“Dogs are quite expensive these days,” his mother always said each time he brought the issue up.
“We need lots of food—good food, I mean—shelter, and vet care. Love isn’t the only thing he'll need”
“Yeah, I know,” he scoffed, “but I wish…”
“I know, I understand you,” she’d quietly interrupt.
“That day is coming.”
But “that day” felt like a thousand years.
Tochi worked many jobs at a time. He cleaned, ran errands, worked as a sales boy. He did anything that involved money. It was barely enough for a complete three square meals.
Sometimes, he would toss some of his food to stray dogs on his way back home. They had become familiar with him and would often snuggle close to him and lick his old leather boots.
After work in the evening, he would ply the same route back home. It was a narrow, untidy road, but its course to his home was shorter.
This very night, it was dark. Street lights were out, and only torches with narrow beams of light were used as guidance.
He was about reaching for his phone when he heard fast-approaching footsteps behind him.
“Hey!” a rough, husky voice shouted.
He shivered and turned in panic.
Then two men came out of the shadows and into his view. Both their faces had balaclavas on.
“Relax, we just wanna talk,” one of them said.
“I’m broke, please. I have nothing on me. I’m just trying to survive.”
One of them moved forward.
“Don’t run, relax,” he said, taking one step at a time.
Then a silent but deep growl swept through the quiet air.
Tochi paused in fear.
Then, out of nowhere, a dog ran out from the back of a parked car, its teeth bared and mouth drooling with saliva, while some patches of fur were lost. It stood between Tochi and the men, aggressively barking and snarling.
“The hell…” one of them cursed as they slowly moved backward before taking to their heels.
Tochi bent forward and rested his hands on his knees while catching his breath.
He looked over to the dog.
“You saved me, thank you,” as though the dog could understand what he said.
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The dog stood there, wagging its short tail and drooling as its tongue protruded.
“Hey, pal,” Tochi said calmly as he crouched, petting the dog on its head.
“I won’t harm you. Don’t be worried.”
He looked into its eyes and saw pain, yet peace. There was a scar below its left eye. It was a slanting one.
“Your owners must have abandoned you a long time ago.”
And the dog nodded twice, like it understood him.
“Ummm, I have no treats here, but we can go home and get something to eat.”
The dog then wagged its tail twice, and Tochi smiled.
“What a cute little boy,” Tochi said as he rubbed its head while they walked away towards home.
Back at home, Tochi introduced him to his mum.
“Awwn, that is beautiful,” Tochi’s mum replied after hearing the story of how he met his new friend.
“So what will you name him, Tochi?”
“I will call him—”
He paused, thinking with his hands on his chin.
“…Scar.”
“Scar? That’s a nice name. But why that? Haven’t heard of it before.”
“He has a scar right under his eye and he’s a warrior who’s lived through battles,” Tochi replied without hesitation.
They lived together for the first few weeks.
Scar ate slowly and mindfully at first, then began to eat like the food would vanish that very second.
Vet visitations were quite expensive, but they had to go. Food costs weren’t any better. Some nights, Tochi would have to skip his meal to let Scar have some.
“I don’t think going all that is necessary,” his mother said one evening as she observed him keep his plate of food aside.
“Yeah, I know, but I just have to.”
Scar always followed Tochi everywhere. He would often wait outside the shop and growl softly when strangers got too close.
“I guess you’re a super dog now, huh?”
Scar barked once, and Tochi laughed.
“Protector of the galaxy,” he said as he rubbed Scar’s head while its tail wagged in excitement.
Time went by quickly.
Tochi found much more stable jobs. He acquired new skills, spent less, saved more. He had a proper vision now—perhaps it was because he finally had a primary responsibility: Scar.
One afternoon, as he sat counting his earnings, his mother peeped into the room.
“Hmmm… you’re doing pretty great for yourself, I must say.”
Tochi flinched, scattering the money all over the place in a bid to quickly conceal it from his mum’s eyes.
Just in the heat of the moment, Scar strolled in. His fur was darker, uniform, and shiny. He seemed full of life, sniffing every corner of the room.
“He’s looking healthier now,” his mother commented while looking at him.
“Yeah, he is,” Tochi said, looking at him like a proud dad, with a grin that wasn’t fading any time soon.
That same evening, Tochi knelt down and placed a new collar on Scar’s neck.
“You stuck with me when I had nothing and needed you the most—almost like you were God-sent.”
Scar spun around and nodded its head yet again.
Tochi laughed.
“You’re so funny.”
And for a moment, there was nothing but pure silence and admiration as their eyes locked, lingering for a little too long.
“Allow me to return the favor,” he broke the silence, and Scar jumped right into his embrace.
And they hugged till both their eyes were teary.
He often recalled that night where their story had all begun, and he came to an understanding that sometimes you don’t find what you’re looking for.
Sometimes, it finds you first.