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05-30-2007, 03:38 AM | #1 |
LUV my 3 Furrs & Alex Donating Member | How Could You? Long but PLEASE read. I have read this on one of the sites today and it just brought tears to my eyes. Please read this. I know is long but this is the least we can do for all the abandoned dogs everywhere. Thanks everyone Maria 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 bellyrub. 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 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 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 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. The End 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 and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals de serve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
__________________ Mommy 's AlexBoo-BooPheoebeand Snowy WE YT |
Welcome Guest! | |
05-30-2007, 03:45 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 3,617
| This is a very sad story but 1000 % true . |
05-30-2007, 03:46 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member | oh my God!!! I'm crying so hard.... I mean, there is NO WAY you can avoid crying after reading this... I wish nodoby would do this type of things, but they do! that's why I cry! |
05-30-2007, 05:29 AM | #4 |
Love My Furbabies! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere
Posts: 4,427
| I've seen this many times and I still bawl EVERY time I read it. I think of all the loyalty our furbabies bring to us, and how UN loyal some of their humans are. They deserve better! |
05-30-2007, 06:21 AM | #5 |
& Bailey & Bella Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ohio
Posts: 8,164
| How true!
__________________ Rhonda, Bailey, Josie and my angel Bella Rue' "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~Anatole France~ |
05-30-2007, 06:33 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: wilmington nc
Posts: 1,585
| sob sob i am crying sooo hard right now. that is so sad but unfortunately true. |
05-30-2007, 06:37 AM | #7 |
Love The Verminator! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ny
Posts: 4,282
| Ditto, here
__________________ Roxy loves Alphy Remi loves Millie [COLOR="Purple"]Mom to RoxyJo & Remington , Fozzy Bear & Chloe |
05-30-2007, 08:05 AM | #8 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nottinghamshire-UK
Posts: 474
| Couldn't have put it better
__________________ midnightmist ELLIE http://www.myspace.com/yorkie_luvr TRIXIE |
05-30-2007, 08:47 AM | #9 |
Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: wiith my furbabys
Posts: 8,874
| wow ive never read that before, my gosh that is so true, really tugs at the heart strings
__________________ |
05-30-2007, 08:53 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 883
| I was determined not to cry, but I failed. This is so sad because it is too true! I wish I could save them all.....
__________________ MYLAN CONNOR PIXIE KERA SAMMIE |
05-30-2007, 09:30 AM | #11 |
Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,503
| Oh my gosh, i am bawling. it is so true and so very sad. anyone who could get through that without feeling emotion shouldn't have a animal. JMHO of course too. |
05-30-2007, 11:26 AM | #12 | |
Mojo, LilyGrace & Me Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cuddling with my babies<3
Posts: 17,329
| Quote:
This is so horrible...I bawl over these stories everytime. I really truly hate some humans! Some just have no souls!
__________________ Hi I'm Jenn Mom to..... Mojo,LilyGrace & DD Kate RIP Mojo FOREVER in our hearts! | |
05-30-2007, 12:17 PM | #13 |
Chloe's Mommy! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cornwall, ON
Posts: 1,968
| Now I'm bawling & holding Chloe. I've seen this story before, but never read it after reading the title. Today for some reason, I read it - kind of wish I wouldn't have...
__________________ Sara & Chloe |
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