"How Could You?"

[YorkieShadow]

This will make you cry

A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan took out a $7000 full page ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of his community:
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'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 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.
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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.
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 deserve 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 and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. - Jim Willis
http://plantranch. net/animalrights.htm

[mizzwanned]

I read that before, really sad

[cataholic]

That is so painfully true!! It happens everyday.

[myteddybear]

[Sharonandtink]

Very sad. I can't imagine doing that, but I know that it happens everyday.

[Keno]

another post that made me cry!!!!

makes me love my baby even more .... she comes first in my eyes!!!!

I had just finished reading this one ....

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...83#post1465083

[alex_143]

I am in tears I don't understand how people can do that I live in an apt that is no pets allowed and I still have coco and there have been complaints but every time the landlord comes and checks my boyfriend takes coco to his house so we have a joint custdy type thing but I own coco lol I don't care for rules like no pets allowed coco comes first to me and I rather die then leave her behind I could never give her up even if that ment I would be homeless on the street with her I would prefer that then to leave her alone at a shelter so I to have to ask for all the people that have abandoned there dogs "how could you?"

[Roxanne_mi]

I had to stop reading part way thru to hold aurora as I read it.....she licked away my tears. I could never imagine doing that to her. I been feeling horrible because I haven't been able to play with her like I use to with how I been feeling since surgeries. I know its only temp but still made me feel bad. If I feel bad about that, I can't imagine doing any of that to her.

I couldn't do that to my kitty Jasmine either. They are both my babies. Jasmine is more independent since she was declawed and spayed....then add in a hyper puppy that tries to play with her when she is trying to spend time with mommy....but no matter what I make time for her and make sure they both know they are loved.

They are my top priorities, they are my childern. I am newly single and one of my requirements for dating is the man has to be an animal lover....give me a choice of my babies or a man....the babies will be here still, not the guy.

[FL Tink]

how sad

[kandy313]

I had to give my baby a hug and kiss and a promise as long as i live i will take care of him,I love him unconditionaly

[Superstarkba]

Thats soo sad

[troubletb]

I'm not the wimpy type, but I have to say I have tears running down my face as I type.
Thanks for sharing.

[saphire]

I am sitting here sobbing! Of course I know this happens everyday but to see it from a doggies point of view, just breaks my heart.

I feel like a kid, crying so hard I can't see the screen! Our pets love us so unconditionally, I just can't understand why people are so cruel/hartless/ignorant. We had Cindy and Candy long before our son was born and NOTHING changed when he came along. They would sleep under his pram to protect him, lick his tiny feet and still slept on our bed till the day they had to be PTS. Cindy was 18 and Candy 17. They have both been gone for many years now and I still miss them. We got Chicco for my son when he was 3 and he too was our "baby" He passed away 3 years ago at 18. We said no more its too heartbreaking, but guess what, I can't live without dogs so now we have Coco and Coffee. I would die for them and would literally kill anyone who harmed them.

Sorry, I' ve had a very bad day and that article just tore me apart.

[xnatalie]

that's so sad

[Yorkiekids]

Kleenex warning is needed for that one.