Or you can read Riccardo’s story below:
It’s a lovely and warm early springtime day in Aldgate. I’ve just started my shift and I’m making my way towards the High Street to start my daily reports. It seems a day like the others. I can smell the coffee from the little café on the corner, and I hear the chatter of the people in the city. The air feels fresh.
As an Ambassador for Aldgate Connect, my job is to be the eyes and the ears of this place. I walk around, greet people, keep an eye on the area, and help at my best. I make sure everything is running smoothly, safe and comfortable for the community. I know the streets well, and I do recognize the faces I see every day.
Suddenly I see a husky dog running across the road with an owner chasing after her. I recognize them: a gentleman and his dog, who I often see wandering in the streets, and I think to myself, if he lost her, it would be heartbreaking.
Not a second longer passes before I just start running after the dog as well. The dog runs across Aldgate High Street passing just next to me. I can feel my heart is racing. Her owner is calling her very loudly from the other side of the road. His voice sounded really anxious and full of fear. She dashes towards the little park just next to St. Botolph’s Church. I don’t know if I will be able to catch her before she disappears from my side, or even worse, something could happen to her. I’m feeling afraid and tense, but I keep running.
Eventually I managed to get to the park entrance and block her way so she cannot run any further. Finally, her owner arrives there too. The look in his eyes is full of relief and gratitude. The lovely husky is finally safe. I’m feeling very grateful too, as I know what it means to love a pet so deeply. A sense of peaceful tranquillity has taken over now and shortly after, some old memories of mine came up.
Memories from Italy. I remember a time during my childhood in the Northern Italian Alps when I almost lost my dog. I was hiking with my family and my dog, Willie, when we came across a cow that was crossing in front of us. Willie got very scared and ran away very fast. I remember feeling so scared, but extremely grateful when I got him back. Those were the longest two minutes I had ever experienced.
That moment has stayed with me my whole life, and now I feel that same relief for this man and his dog. This experience makes me think how important it is to have something or someone you love. This man almost lost what could be his best companion.
