PLEASE READ!! if you own a dog or ever want to own a dog

[Bufflehead]

 This can be a tough thing to read...just WARNING YOU!

   HOW COULD YOU
      When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child despite a number of chewed-up 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 house training 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, 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 kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them, especially 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. 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, 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 or cat, 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 goodbye 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 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, 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 in 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 place a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand 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 dog speak, 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. With my last little bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my “How could you?” was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you and wait for you forever.
        May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
 

[jigglestick]

well theres my happy thought for the day :-\

[JohnWester]

well theres my happy thought for the day :-\

ya, geez...

[Bufflehead]

 it's a tough read but I can tell ya, it's a sad deal to hear when someone chooses to take their family pet down to the shelter and dump it off.

 For many,  pets are your children..part of the family. For others, they start off as that and soon the owners grow tired or board of them and for many. They end up at a shelter or worse..dumped off on some back road.

 Try going to the shelter sometime and see it for yourself. It will make you ill to see how some people can just drop off a family member and drive off.

 For us, and many of you. Moving to a place that your dog and best friend is not aloud, is NOT A OPTION!!

 Sorry for the downer effect that come from reading it but lets hope it makes even one person think about what their actions can lead to

[schwinger]

I have actually read that story before, but it is very good to read it. I am always looking at the homeward bound rescue website and it is sad to think of the poor dogs just dumped off. I can't imagine leaving my little buddy behind, well sometimes maybe for a second or two but then I come to my senses.

 

[GRIZ]

Reading that makes me think. I'd like to have a dog again. With my job working on the road in the summers, that is not an option. I'll have to settle for taking moms dog pheasant hunting in the fall.

I didn't bring it to the shelter. My dad had been thinking of getting one. So when I got the job I told him to try her for a week and see what he thought. He like that she was somewhat protective yet good around people. He's had her for nearly 6 yrs now.

He does have one complaint, she doesn't like anyone who wears a uniform. Meter lady, gas man, police, UPS man even the guy who installs cable TV. I don't know what it is but anyone who wears a uniform is not seen in good light by her.

[guythathunts]

Thanks for making me cry. Real cool dude. Some peoples kids, I tell ya. My dog "Duke" Is The greatest thing that has ever happend. He is my best friend. That A$$ should be drug behind a snowmobile for about 12 hrs for abandoning his buddie like that. Ugh... I guess I'm a Little "too" pissed from this. Makes me sick! ...... Ok I'm better now, but I told Duke about it and he is still pissed!