Something to Read - Be ready to cry!

[Guest Anonymous]

A friend sent me this and it broke my heart. I have been cuddling Sally most of today! :cry:



"How Could You?"
Copyright 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 oflove." 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

[Shannon_C]

That is a sad poem, heartbreaking to read but true....its says the words of true love lost forever! Loads of hugs and kisses to all those who have been through the pain of misery when there owners no longer want them..also to the babies that have been abandoned on the streets, left to defend for themselves and those who have been cruely neglected.

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh that is so sad and so true. I could never do that to my babies! :(
-beagle88

[Guest Anonymous]

wow- not just tearing up, but rolling down my cheeks- to top it off my own pound pup came into the office- she must have known i was sad, she always does, and licked the tear off my cheek- I really lost it then! going to go kiss my dogs now...

[Guest Anonymous]

:cry:
That was heart breaking.... now I'm crying at work.

I only wish more people like the one that deserted that dog would read this.

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh.... I can't think of what to say....that was the saddest thing.....
I often wonder why a person would do something like that. How anybody who had loved something so much could just give it to a fate like that? I look down at our puppy and think I would die before that ever happend.
With our last dog we introduced her to our kids...
She was my husbands and before her, I was definatly not a dog person.... but even then my love for animals would never have alowed me to do such a thing, and Koko was the best dog/pet I ever had.... she even helped with the kids. And when we lost her the whole family was devistated. We even planted a rose above her grave in the yard.
I need a doggy hug now.....

[GizmoRedNosePit]

Tears are still running down my face like I just lost gizmo. It happens thousands of times a day and it is so sad. We all put i back as far as we can in our mind so we dont have to think about it all the time...we all know it happens and most of us cant do anything about it. I wish I could....but right now I cant.

Iwill never do that to my dog......hopefully my pretty little puppy doesn't have any problems with dying in her sleep and dies healthy and happy becuase if have to put her down I would die inside.

[Guest Anonymous]

:cry: I have read that poem before and it made me cry. It made my friends that i showed it to cry also. If anybody is thinking about taking their dog to the shelter consider this. Spend a few extra bucks for your dog's life. Put an ad in the paper! Look for a home for him. Ask your friends! Put an ad at the vets office! I think it is cruel just to abandon yyour pets at the pound! :evil:

[Bronxie]

Dammit I knew I shouldn't have read that poem. Now I have tears in my eyes. Going to kiss my pets now...

[GizmoRedNosePit]

Yes, I agree if you loved you pets you can atleast still love them till you get rid of them.....it is so sad....I am so glad I have gizmo in my life....

Bronxie!! we all said we cried...you should of expected it!! you silly! yeah i still have the tears! :cry:

[science_doc]

That was the saddest thing I have ever read.....I want to take a copy and post it on the door of the human society!!!!!!!

Now I'm more sure than ever that I will adopt an older dog instead of a puppy! Why can't people stop and think before they act!!!!!!!