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 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. 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 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.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of mytail 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.

That was soooo sad ....made me :cry:

Oh I can't handle that.....i am now bawling.....i know it's not my babies thoughts, but i know it is the reality of far tooo many wonderful animals out there. HOW COULD THEY???

I found this on an anti-puppy mill website and thought I would share it.

Oh my gosh, so sad. It broke my heart and make me cry. But this is so true, How could they? indeed. :unlove: :(

omg I am :cry8: that was so sad...

That is truly sad! I really hope this doesn't happen to any Yorkie ever! Thankfully I think Yorkies are more likely to be rescued than other breeds? It's still sad to know that this happens to other dogs... :(

Evertime I read that I cry. Thanks for posting it.

I handed that out in Zoies puppie's packets along with a few other poems.

I also had a 5 page questionaire and a contract that gives me first right of refusal should they ever not want or unable to care for the dogs.

My contract states that too! But you gotta wonder how many people would return the dog to the breeder. Many might just try to sell them and then what would happen to the dog? :confused: :( :confused:

Wow - that was sooo sad - I am crying my eyes out right now.
But it is so true - the story seen from the dogs point of view not ours...
People do this every day around the world. How can they?

I've always said if my dogs can't go neither can I! Cinder's (big dog) former owners left her at the dog pound! She is one of the greatest blessings of my life! I'll never understand how someone could have not wanted Cinder! That post makes me weep!

I have such a hard time reading things like this - I DO read them ... but I cry - always....after I finished bawling my eyes out I came back to edit this post....

I pretty much have kleenex next to my computer for these kinds of stories.....that was an expecially good one - sniff...gave me chills too....I was with my cocker Lady at her time.... and I truly hope she knew our love for her was why her last day was on a cold table.... with me holding her crying...I'll never forget her or that day.....Man I can't even TYPE this without crying....

This is a real sad story but unfortunately a reality one .

Yesterday , I went to the clinic with Zsa Zsa for her exam . I was waiting to see the vet when I saw my neighbour coming out of the euthanasia's office .
As I was curious to saw her , I asked her what happens , she simply told me that she just have had Sukki euthanazied because she was tired of having pee on the rug and constant barking. She gave false excuses to the vet and he believed her . Sukki was a 2 years old , 4 pounds little man . I was really :mad: at her . I really can't tell you what I told her .
How come peoples can be so stupid ?

Oh, this has got me crying again. :(

WHAT A B****! She\'ll have to answer to this someday! :thumbdown

I forgot to say that she lives next to my house , I often saw Sukki in her backyard and never ever hear him bark at me or someones else . He was just a little adorable Yorkie .

I am glad that a lot of breeders post this on their sites. It\'s a great reminder, not that we need reminding, but we can always spread it around so people stop and think before soing something terrible with an animal.

Diego- I wish we could report your animal for animal cruelty. Anyone of us would nave loved to have that little Sukki boy!

You should send her a copy of this!!

OH my gosh!!!!!!!!! Did you tell the vet??? Oh that poor poor baby... I can\'t even imagine...i can only hope that she in having fun onthe rainbow bridge now and enjoying her new better home.

Poor little baby boy . I really think peoples like her should have a brain transplant . IMO , She is a murderer . I guess , she\'ll want another one pretty soon .

Yes , after Zsa Zsa have had her exam , I asked to talk to the vet and told him about the little boy . He told me that after knowing this fact , he\'ll try to have some explanations from her . I don\'t know if he will talk to her . I just talk to a Animal Protection Agent and he want me to go to their office to fill a complaint against her and I will , because I considers Yorkies should always be treated with cares , attention and lots and lots of love .

that so sad im crying :unlove: it just breacks my heart to know some poor animals have to go thought that every day :cry:

Diego I think it is really great of you to step up and speak for this poor baby who can not speak for himself. Great job on going to Animal Protection. You are an angel.

Diego, I think very highly of you for protecting the rights of this little baby. This lady is evil and very selfish!!!

Omg, Diego when I read what your neighbor did I got so angry. I can\'t believe she euthanazied that poor little boy. Why she didnt look for a better home for Zuki?. :mad: She is defenitely a murderer. I aplaud you DIego for reporting that murdere to the authorities. You are defenitely a Hero. I wil pray for little Zuki to be resting in peace in Rainbow Bridge. :littleang

This morning , I reported her to the Animal Protection Office . I don\'t consider myself as a hero , an angel or whatever . I am only fed up with peoples who mistreat an animal . The little ones are innocents and they need to have peoples to protect them . I felt so bad when she told me what she have done and couldn\'t live with this on my heart . After telling the officer what she told me , I felt like if someone took 100 pounds off my shoulders . Little ones need to be love because they really deserve it . I\'ll always be there for them , they always give unconditional love to us .

Your thread has made me cry....And can I share my sad story too?

Schatzie lives with all us in the country. We fist lived in this house down the hill, pretty small and very bland. On this house a two car garage was attached and my husband and I started our dental lab business in this garage. Over time we grew and became more profitable.

We took that profit and built a beautiful house upon a hill overlooking the valley, overlooking that bland boring house we once lived in. Thinking "wow", we have moved farther in life, no longer living there with rotting wood and old fixtures. We are now sitting upon this beautiful hill with a goregous view. A few years ago some people we know moved into that house, a family of 4 with 5 dogs.

That family didn\'t have such profitable luck as we did so they had to move this past weekend, unfortunately felt it not neccesary to take those five dogs with them. The man of the house shot those five dogs in that garage. my other neighbor heard those shots and the cries of the dogs. A selfish act uncomprehendible of a descent human being to do such things as this. At times in my mind to find nonforgiving even.

Now tonight, I stand on my deck, upon this hill and overlook the valley with the gorgeous view. Though now only look upon the house where those dogs were murdered. My beautiful view has forever since changed.

No profit or misfortune will ever bring those dogs back and I will forever until I die have a broken heart for them. My beautiful view is now only a sad memory of what some humans can do with such great gifts from God. :(

Diego,
You are so rite this little ones deserve all our love and care. :love: :hug: They do love us uncoditionally. You dont consider yourself a Hero or Angel but you are in my eyes. This little ones are so lucky to have you as their protector.

Oh Schatzie\'s mama,
My heart broke in pieces when I read your story. How can someone be so cruel and heartless? This man is a murderer of 5 innocent dogs. I agreed with you 100% this was "A selfish act uncomprehendible of a descent human being to do such things as this". There is no excuse for this man to shoot this poor dogs. This man is going to burn in hell.