Snow Wolf Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 hey everyone! I'm not sure if this story was posted on here before as I haven't been here for very long, but I just thought I should share...it's made me cry again and again. I often help out at my local animal shelter, and seeing all those animals, so often just abandoned by their owner... Just a few days ago, A guy dropped off his husky/GSD mix, a beautiful young dog. The guy just walked away without looking back. His dog first started trying to go after him with a wagging tail and a look in his eyes, saying "what are we gonna do next?" but then I had to hold him back, and he stared in horror as his former owner walked away. That look I saw in the dog's eyes-deep loyalty with that unending sorrow- It's been following me into my dreams every night since then... 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. ---------------------------- 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 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 read this before it's so sad and yes brough tears to my eyes xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meeshsalts Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Hope the dog finds a loving forever home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceybob Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 This made me teary Stacey xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austinville Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Crying again........... Just don't understand. No pet who enters our home leaves until their time for the Bridge - those who come here have a home for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marley & Lumikkis Mummy Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 oh gosh that made me cry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arooroomom Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 It's so sad. And it's true with the shelters. Most people walk out of there without a single bit of emotion. It's like it doesn't even matter if the dog lives or dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meeshsalts Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 It would be the sadiest day of my life if we had to give up our dogs. Shaer is so glingy to me (Meesh) I think it would kill her. I start work at 6.00 in the morning and Jennifer leaves at 8,45, I get back between 9.20 and 10.00, when I get in Shaer goes mad. You would think I've been away days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Angel n Auroras Mum Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 oh my. I'm crying now. So sad and gutwrenching. To My Boy Storm, I vow here and now that you will NEVER have to go through that pain and heartache as long as there is breath in my body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie mc Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 oh no thats soo sad , made me cry :'( some people just dont think about there pets. i havn't and never will ever give my pets up to a shelter. they have always been my family and always will be x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 uve made me cry now - i could never do that to my babies not matter how much skyla drools on my leg - no matter how much blaze wants to try n eat other dogs n not matter how much bings barks! they are here with me till the end - no matter what happens +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kechara Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 I've read this before on one of the husky rescue sites I've been looking at... couldn't even finish it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snow Wolf Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 My dogs are my family-I don't discard family. I can't undestand how people can just give up those dogs they have spend so much time with, they have gone through so much with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Miss Bump Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 my boys are my world. Xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kells xx Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 im crying.....i would live in a tent before giving up my dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katlove Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 thats so sad but it happens and it would be so good if we really could hear dogs minds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarStorm Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 This story really upset me . . . . I just don't understand how people could give up their pets like that! No matter how much my dogs drive me up the walls, theyre with me for life xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo & Oisin Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Tears rolling down my face I wish I could do more for these dogs in shelters, I wish I could take them all. I'd never let my animals go into a shelter! I had to rehome my GSD last year as I was working full-time and it wasn't fair on her (I had been given her by somebody who couldn't cope with her as a puppy) She is a beautiful dog, I gave her to my best friend so I still see her 4 times a week and I can make sure she is still happy. Not in a million years would I have surrendered her to a shelter!!! If I could get Miley the GSD back from my friend now that I have the time for her I would, I'd have a big fight on my hands though! My friend's dad is smitten with her! ps. I miss you Miley! Love you always! I'll bring you a treat this week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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