Ivy and the upside-down sky

Read the complete story

A little sky in the courtyard

Ivy has found an unexpected neighbour on her way to a sunny doorstep. A shallow puddle, a rippling reflection and a patient companion make a small discovery worth slowing down for. Enjoy this original GroomNear dog story, narrated by George, and read the complete story below.

The story

Ivy stopped so suddenly that one white paw stayed in the air. There was another sky beneath her feet.

The rain had finished. In the sheltered courtyard, a shallow puddle lay between the pale stones. Ivy, a little blue-grey whippet with a white chest, had been heading towards her favourite sunny step. Now the sky was in the way.

She lowered her nose. A small grey nose rose to meet it. Ivy leaned left. The other nose leaned right. This was a very unusual neighbour. It hadn't made a single sound.

Then Ivy's paw touched the edge of the water. The neighbour wobbled. The white clouds broke into little pieces. Ivy took one surprised step back and watched them put themselves together again.

Her person sat on the dry doorstep. They didn't hurry her. Somewhere beyond the wall, a bird called. Ivy looked up. Blue sky. She looked down. Blue sky again. That seemed rather generous for one courtyard.

A small breeze reached the puddle. The clouds trembled without Ivy touching anything. She tipped her narrow head, waited, and tried a quieter approach. This time, her nose stopped just above the surface.

There she was. Two folded ears. One white chin. The same rust-red collar. Ivy breathed out, and the tiniest ripple spread away from her nose. She watched until the water was still.

Her person smiled and shifted along the step, leaving a warm patch beside them. Ivy glanced at the space. Then at the puddle. There was a decision to make, and the sunny step had a very good argument.

She walked around the water, placing each slim paw on the dry stones. At the doorstep, she turned a slow circle and folded herself beside her person. Her head found a comfortable knee.

For a while, nothing needed investigating. The courtyard grew warm. The little puddle held the clouds, the wall, and a corner of the open door. Ivy's eyes began to close.

Then a cloud crossed the sun. Ivy opened one eye and checked the puddle. Still there. Still keeping the sky safe. Satisfied, she tucked her nose beneath her paw. Some neighbours were best enjoyed quietly.