How?

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How Could You?​

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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 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.

Written by Jim Willis.

 

oh that brought tears to my eyes!! how easliy it is to forget, and neglect these poor darlings that just adore us.

 

Thats pretty strong... They should make that mandatory to read at the shelters people coming in to drop off their pets...

 

no joke...people might give it a little more thought.

 

very powerful

 

wow that was really powerful i got choked up and got tears in my eyes

 

Damn..........strong message. Unfortunatley that type of thing happens far too often.

 

Can we make this a sticky, I will pay for it even though its not my article. Everyone needs to get this and read it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you are going to get a dog you have an obligation to that dog to care for it for as long as it lives, and that could be over 15 years. If you doubt being able to do that, do not get a dog.

 

Very powerful...everyone does need to read it!

 

yep, i emailed it to a couple of friends of mine. i'm sure those two chicks are gonna cry!! not that all chicks cry...right devinber3?!

 

Your wish is my comand... Done

 

Thanks Marty.

 

this is one that definately need to be read by everybody. especially those that are considering getting an apbt. thinking about"how cool it'd be/look " to have one as a pet. not knowing how unbeleivably energetic they are, among other things.
good idea 14rock

 

How horrible! i cried so hard, now I'm taking my dog for a long walk and for some ice cream! How could anyone do that to a pet. I know my dog's world revolves around when we take walks and play. Sometimes I get busy but I always make time for my baby! Even if it is just walking a movie on the couch together eating popcorn!

 

i don't see how anyone could do that to such a pretty dog,, they need to tye up the owner and let him suffer what he had to,,,sad fact is this is happenig all over and sad don't touch it,, before me and my wife got married i had a pit(my boy PUG) for 13 years and when he died i just couldn't bring myself to get another and then again my wife didn,t like the fact of how protective he was of me,,, But now my wife wouldn't let anyone touch one of ours and she finally relized that these dogs would died for her or my kids and she won't have anything else,,BOUT TIME,,,when my pups were stole she told me to do what i had too and thats exactly what i did

 

Um, don't post stuff like that during work hours. We folks who play online while at work will read and start to cry just as I have!

Great post.

 

Very powerful, very sad

 

yeah that was hard to read. ppl are going to come in here and think i ve been crying.

 

I tell many people this,BELIEVE me, if you had to assist, or evn witness just one euthansia, (and trust me, it SUCKS!!!!), you would find a way to resolve the "issue" you are having with your pet!!!!!!
Obtaining a pet should be like marriage=for better or worse, in sickness, and in health....
This article kills me everytime...

 

Wonderful article, I have cried and cried. It also made me think of all the animals I saw at the animal shelter on Wednesday. I went looking for my two babies, but being in there with all the other animals made me so sad. They would bark at you, or some would just look at you with big eyes, as if to say,"help me please, I want to go home". Very good article.