It was a cold autumn morning when CUTIS, a ten-year-old golden retriever, felt an unusual sense of urgency. Something deep inside him told him he had a special mission that day, though he didn’t understand it yet. The golden leaves rustled in the wind as he trotted through the small countryside town where he lived with his beloved owner, Sarah.
Sarah was eight months pregnant, her belly round and full of life. She often sat on the wooden porch, running her hands over her stomach, speaking softly to the unborn baby inside. CUTIS loved Sarah dearly. He had been with her for years, through heartbreaks and joys, through rainy days and sunny mornings. And now, as she prepared to welcome a new life, CUTIS was determined to do something special for her—though he didn’t quite know what yet.
That morning, as Sarah rested on the couch, CUTIS nudged open the front door and slipped outside. He had been watching the farmers in the nearby field for days. He had seen them tending to the golden wheat, their hands working diligently, their voices humming with quiet contentment. He had watched them harvest the ripe pumpkins and carry bushels of apples in their sturdy arms. Something about it fascinated him, and today, he felt called to join them.
CUTIS ran through the dewy grass, his fur glistening under the pale sunlight. When he reached the fields, he sniffed the air, taking in the scent of earth and ripe fruit. A few farmers spotted him and waved, used to seeing him around. He was a friendly dog, always eager to help, but today, he had something else in mind. He trotted over to an elderly farmer named Mr. Jensen, who chuckled when he saw CUTIS.
“Well now, boy, what brings you here today?” Mr. Jensen asked, stroking CUTIS’s head.
CUTIS barked softly and then turned his attention to a nearby basket full of ripe apples. Carefully, as if he had done this before, he picked up an apple with his mouth and trotted away, his tail wagging.
Mr. Jensen watched in amusement. “Looks like he’s got a job of his own today,” he mused.
But CUTIS wasn’t done yet. He repeated his actions, taking a few more apples and then shifting his attention to a small pumpkin. He struggled for a moment, but with determination, he managed to nudge it along with his nose, pushing it toward home. A couple of children playing nearby giggled and followed him, curious about what the golden retriever was up to.
Back at home, Sarah had dozed off on the couch, her hands resting gently on her belly. CUTIS nudged open the front door, pushing the apples inside one by one. Then he carefully rolled the small pumpkin into the house, stopping just before Sarah’s feet. The children who had followed him peeked through the doorway, watching in silence.
Just then, Sarah stirred. She blinked sleepily and looked down, her eyes widening as she saw the small harvest laid before her. A deep, warm laugh bubbled from her chest, but as she looked at CUTIS, tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh, CUTIS… you brought me all of this?” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
CUTIS wagged his tail and stepped closer, resting his head gently on her lap. He looked up at her with warm, intelligent eyes, as if saying, This is for you. For the baby. For us.
Tears rolled down Sarah’s cheeks as she stroked his soft fur. “You’re the sweetest boy,” she murmured. “I don’t know how you knew, but I was craving fresh apples today. And a pumpkin… I wanted to carve one for the baby’s first Halloween.”
The children at the door couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “CUTIS worked so hard! He picked apples and even rolled the pumpkin all the way here!” one of them exclaimed.
Sarah laughed through her tears. “He did, didn’t he?” She wiped her cheeks and looked at her faithful companion with overwhelming love. “You always know how to take care of me.”
The news of CUTIS’s sweet act spread quickly through the small town. People stopped by to see the golden retriever who had harvested apples and pumpkins for his pregnant owner. Even Mr. Jensen came by, tipping his hat to Sarah as he handed her an extra basket of apples. “For you and the baby,” he said with a wink. “And a few more for CUTIS—he’s earned them.”
As the days passed, Sarah cherished the simple yet deeply moving gesture from her beloved dog. She made warm apple pies, drinking tea by the fire, all while CUTIS lay at her feet, content and happy. And when her baby finally arrived a few weeks later, CUTIS was there, resting his head beside the newborn, protecting and loving the tiny human just as he had done for Sarah.
CUTIS hadn’t just harvested apples that day—he had harvested love, warmth, and the kind of loyalty that brought tears to a mother’s eyes. And in return, he had received something just as precious: a family that cherished him beyond words.
