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03-29-2009, 03:12 PM | #1 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 748
| Letter from a Shelter Dog (sad) Hi everyone, I wasn't sure if this was posted on here before or not, but I received it in an email and it really got to me so I thought I would share it with you. A letter from a dog – "How Could You?" by Jim Willis When I was a puppy , I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows , I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask, "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun w aiting for you to come home at the end of the day. Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter . It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said, "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. T hey understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar, as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to20their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty. A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as You read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.
__________________ Colleen and Lulu Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club The more people I know, the more I love my dog |
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03-29-2009, 03:20 PM | #2 |
Luving my babies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Over the rainbow
Posts: 3,291
| I dont even know where to start???? Tears are rolling down my face. My heart just fell out of my chest reading this. Thanks for sharing!
__________________ Renee, Tayah, Dash, Bella & Paige |
03-29-2009, 04:31 PM | #3 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,865
| So sad, but so true!!!! Thank you for sharing. It's wonderfully written by a true dog lover!!!!
__________________ Gennie, mommy to my two loves: Bambi & Bijou |
03-29-2009, 04:35 PM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northeast ,USA
Posts: 367
| Its truly sad. If you look through the new hreads..You'l see one called "How Could You". I posted the same thing just a day or 2 ogo. I'm glad to know it's getting spread around. The more people who read..the better I think. Jim Willis is a beautiful writer. Thanks for posting it again. Hugs Vickie
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03-29-2009, 05:03 PM | #5 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 748
| Quote:
I am sorry I missed your original post of this story. I received it during the week in an email and have been wanting to post it but didn't have a chance. It really got to me and made me sad thinking of all of the dogs in this situation at shelters and rescues.
__________________ Colleen and Lulu Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club The more people I know, the more I love my dog | |
03-29-2009, 05:21 PM | #6 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snowflake, AZ, USA
Posts: 672
| Posted once or twice...It was sad both times I read it It needs to be printed and plastered on every humane society and pet shelter door!
__________________ Chloe and Little Man's Mommy We Miss you Milo! |
03-29-2009, 05:22 PM | #7 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY
Posts: 440
| Oh, man. This made me cry! It reminded me of the book Marley and Me, which I also cried through. I applied for a rescue Yorkie, but I'm not sure if I'll be selected since both my bf and I work.
__________________ Loved by Chase |
03-29-2009, 06:11 PM | #8 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northeast ,USA
Posts: 367
| oh No..please don't be sorry to me at. I agree. The more times its posted the further the word of it spreads. I think it should be bumped on a regular basis for any newbies that come in and for the others here that havent seen it yet. Hugs to everyone. Give the furkids a little extra lovin tonight.
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04-03-2009, 10:20 AM | #10 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Airdrie,Alberta,Canada
Posts: 358
| Thanx for the good cryThis is soooo true Thanx for sharing
__________________ Linda and Harley Regret makes you old, and bitterness poisons the people around you. |
04-03-2009, 10:22 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member | Wish we could save them all. Most my pets have come from Humane Society's or Rescue Organizations. It's just heartbreaking.
__________________ Mammadoodle to my Yorkiedoodle Barney and our crazy cat Ms. Sassy Pants. RIP Audrey-Belle Within the heart of every stray lies the singular desire to be loved |
04-03-2009, 10:28 AM | #12 |
Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY
Posts: 10,455
| i was debating whether to read that or not.. and i didnt this time. i just couldnt,, i feel terrible for all those babies... i wish this world was different
__________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ... |
04-03-2009, 10:39 AM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut
Posts: 257
| Thank you for posting this. I am sitting here sobbing after readingit, as my little boy sits in his bed at my feet looking up at me, wondering what is wrong. We are his third and forever home. Every day I am so thankful my Dh said yes. |
04-03-2009, 10:58 AM | #14 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northeast ,USA
Posts: 367
| give that baby a little extra hug and give some from me too. he saved you..a human! how wonderful you found each other!
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04-03-2009, 11:00 AM | #15 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northeast ,USA
Posts: 367
| sorry you can't read it. its a good thing so many others can. its help when more and more HUMANS get on the bandwagon...
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