How Could You? How Could You? By Jim Willis 2001 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 waiting 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 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 have 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. They 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 to their 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 fen 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 you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty. I hope this story has touched you like it has me. It made me realize how much I love my little guy. |
This story of one of a few that ALWAYS hit me in the heart - it never hurts to read it again....unless you're running out of Kleenex - Thanks for posting that. |
Thank you so much for posting that. I am crying my eyes out right now. It was so sad. It made me see how much TJ and Riley mean to me. I hope that everyone gets a chance to read that story. |
Thanks for posting that. I too am in tears. That is all to much a realtity for some people. I know many people who have dogs and they are just a possesion. Nothing more nothing less. Its sad. My dogs are my kids. I love them dearly. I have always had a hard time understanding why and how people treat animals so poorly sometimes. I was raised to treat any living breathing creature as I would want to be treated. And I guess that is the reason that I do what I do with rescue and everything else concerning animals. I have many friends that think I am crazy because instead of going to clubs or stuff like that I would prefer to spend my time here at home with my dogs. Hmmm.......Could that be the reason that I am almost 30 and not married?? |
I cried my eyes out! It reminded me of when I had to put my Peke to sleep last year. It was the hardest thing I ever did. She looked at me with such trusting eyes, that I will never forget it. Even though she was suffering with cancer, and I knew I couldn't let her go on any longer, I still feel like a murderer. I will never forget that feeling. Almost never got another dog because I know someday, I will have to do the same humane thing again, and don't know if I can. Of course, the story was for a far different reason, and I could never do that in a million years! So Sad! Pat |
That is such a sad story, but a reality. Just visit an animal shelter any day of the week and you'll cry for all the abandoned dogs. |
I am going to save it! Thanks for sharing! |
I am really glad to see it is touching more ppl than just me. Rebel is my pride and joy. I could never let him down. It is so real how ppl bring their animals to a shelter just to be put down. I cant stop tearing up after thinking about it all day. |
I cried so much reading this...This is so sad, and the worst part is that this happens everyday...People leave their dogs at shelters all the time to be put down. I wish I could rescue every single dog that needs a home. |
How could someone do that?? :( I could never do that to my dogs. I'm 23 yrs old with no human babies, but I do have 2 very beautiful, sweet, loving and affectionate canine babies. They are my world, my life. I can't imagine ever being without them. My dogs bring so much happiness to my life. They are the only beings in this world capable of loving somebody unconditionally and without judgement. Things like this happen everywhere and it's so sad!! |
Quite frankly I know this is reality but it doesn't make it any less sad. I have read that many times and each time it rips my heart out. What the heck is wrong with people? I mean really..... |
people do it to other people without a thought for life. there will always be people in the world capable of doing things we wouldnt even imagine being capable of doing. How little life means to some people amazes me let alone the life of a dog.... But then you've only got to come on here and read some of the caring, loving stories and how people put themselves out to help and console others that theyve never even met before, to know that the good people far far outnumber the bad :) |
OK i forced myself to read it yet again and it makes me cry everytime. i am sitting here crying like a baby! i just don't understand, how can these people sleep at night? do they not have a concious (sp?) if i did something like that to my dog i'm telling you i would not be able to sleep at night!! all the stories i hear, do people think that dogs don't have feelings? that its ok to hit them and beat them and kill them, just because they're dogs? i don't think this world would be the same without dogs. infact if people were more like them stories like this wouldn't be reality. |
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