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How Could You? How Could You? 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 bellyrub. My housetraining 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, 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 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, especially 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. 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 or cat, 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 goodbye 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, 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 dogspeak, 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. 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 meant for 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.Jim Willis 2001 |
:cry8:That is sooooooooooooo sad. |
This was so heartbreaking!!! :( |
:cry: While reading this, I kept hoping it would have a good ending. Sadly, alot of animals are discarded like this. :aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork |
omygosh you made me cry :( |
I had to hold back tears.......thats terrible. My daughter is balling right now.:cry8: |
Oh my does that put life in perspective. Very, very sad. I hate to think about it. |
:cry8: I've read this before, but it never fails to make me cry... |
Oh, the tears are a flowing...and this is why I adopted my little Abby & Phoebe from Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (yorkierescue.com) and then joined forces with them and now I am a "Foster Mom" to our first little boy, Rocky. I'm happy to say that it looks like our Rocky boy will be adopted next week by a couple driving 700 miles from Northern CA for this little sweetheart. Abby :aimeeyork, Bella :aimeeyork, Phoebe :aimeeyork & Rocky :animal36 |
I have read this before and it made me cry then!:( It is so very sad. |
OMG!!! I am just bawwling..... you know this happens alot though.....this is wrong in so many ways. |
Very sad! |
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May God bless everyone who is touched by this and let's keep this message going. Hugs! Vickie |
bump this please |
A little late.... Quote:
I think that's the very first time anyone has called me an angel, let alone on earth...heeheehee! |
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bump this please |
second time i read it and it STILL makes me cry :( bump |
omg i almost just lost it at work |
shoulda put a warning on there, i'm bawling at work and i really hope no one walks into my office. tears streaming. i don't want to ever let that happen to Sadie and i can't believe someone's life would take them away from loving their first baby. Sadie is the only thing we have right now, but when babies come i don't want her to get left in the dust, she's my baby too and she always will be. i love her so much and don't want to make her feel like i'm too busy for her. i feel so bad because so many animals go through this every day. people need to think about what they want in life before they get a dog and make sure they want to have this new companion for 10++ years or more. you can't just up and get rid of a family member when you don't have time and money. people need to stop and think of that before jumping into gettin a dog. okay time to wipe my eyes and learn from this story and never let this happen to Sadie |
sitting at my desk here at work with tears streaming down my face.... |
Heartbreaking! Heartbreaking! What a sad story! |
I think every once in awhile this needs to be shared so that people like you can share it with others too. I didn't mean to make everyone cry but I'm thankful it reached you and touched your hearts. |
This is very sad and also very true . |
How sad. The tears are rolling down my face as I read this. It is so sad ,yet so true that there are people out there that do not believe that animals have feelings and they are just possesions that they can do with as they please. This makes me sooo angry. My babies, Harley a yorkie and Gracie an elderly pug are my babies and I will not even leave them with someone I do not know. If I cannot find someone I trust, a family member, or close friend that is an animal lover, I will not leave my babies. My husband has come to accept it and feels the same way too. More people need to witness what happens to abandoned animals in shelters and visit puppy mills and perhaps they would think before they abandon or abuse a member of their family!!! Sorry for rambling on. Christy- Harley:aimeeyork and Gracie's:animal36 mommy |
I just cannot stop crying. That was so very sad, but its definitely something people need to read. |
I am crying.... |
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