its so sad.......How Could You? by Jim Willis

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:00 PM

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 housetraining 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, 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 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, 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 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 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, 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. 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 meant for 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

Its so sad....I dont like crying and i dont understand how somebody could do this..

Ali

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:07 PM

Wow, now crying at work again. Uh, I have no idea how anyone could do that. I can't even fathom the idea.

Okay, I think I better go to the bathroom and calm myself down (I've been extra emotional this week, so maybe not the best time to have read this, but it only makes me even more sure that I'd do ALL I could to never have to give any animals away) Thank goodness everyone is on lunch in the back...

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:10 PM

oh im sorry Crazybrit..

yeah..i wanted to volunteer at a shelter...like non prifit..maybe just giving the dogs water and food..but i dont think i can

Im sorry to hear that crazy brit n america

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

oh im sorry Crazybrit..

Im sorry to hear that crazy brit n america

Oh no, it's okay.

I should have known not to read it at work lol. I have just been weird this week...not like anything bad is happening in my life, but my waterworks seem to be on warp speed or something. I cried just watching What Not To Wear yesterday lol!

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

yeah..i wanted to volunteer at a shelter...like non prifit..maybe just giving the dogs water and food..but i dont think i can

I fairly recently started volunteering at one. It's SO far away and I don't drive so I haven't been able to go much, but I help with the adoption they do at Petsmart every weekend. When I go I walk the dogs and feed them and all that fun stuff.

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:27 PM

hehe . Yeah im kinda not happy i very dislike my birthdays ....ugh i like things the way they are . i do not want to deal with all the mumbo jumbo of getting older!!!

yeah i would love to help out dogs some way..but it would break my little heart to see all the doggies....i was crying like the baby i am when i saw a video about pit bulls on youtube..: /

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

hehe . Yeah im kinda not happy i very dislike my birthdays ....ugh i like things the way they are . i do not want to deal with all the mumbo jumbo of getting older!!!

Is it your birthday today?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

yeah i would love to help out dogs some way..but it would break my little heart to see all the doggies....i was crying like the baby i am when i saw a video about pit bulls on youtube..: /

I was SURE I could never volunteer at a shelter, but I think you end up feeling really good about it. Yeah, I'd love to take every dog home, but I wouldn't be much help to them all. It's nice just to know that you are helping to take care of them and at least give them a bit of happiness.

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:34 PM

no but tuesday is...and i really dont want it to be...ive hard a hard life these couple of years..and i just miss the way it was before ..

but yeah i guess atleast if im doing something good for the dogs i would feel good..but i wanna take em all home too hehe!

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

no but tuesday is...and i really dont want it to be...ive hard a hard life these couple of years..and i just miss the way it was before ..

Well I am sure I will talk to you on Tuesday, so I will save the birthday wishes until then, but I'm sorry you have had a tough time! You're young! Birthdays should be fun!

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:44 PM

aww thanks...i mean sure they shuld be fun...but I think way to much im one of those people that says " well if im going to grow one year older then he is and she is and blah blah blah"

I think so much ahead of right now and ugh i hate it lol

I like the way the things are now , i dont want anyone to grow older ! ugh...

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantmypup

I think so much ahead of right now and ugh i hate it lol

I like the way the things are now , i dont want anyone to grow older ! ugh...

Hey, that only means you are lucky! When I was younger I wanted to grow up...now I wish I was 10 years old again with not nearly the same kind of worries. I think it's good that you aren't in too much of a hurry to grow up. You should be having fun while you are young though!

I am a worrier too so I can relate to that a lot...but you shouldn't have to have too much to worry about at your age!

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:48 PM

thank you crazybrit!

! Yeah i guess i should enjoy it while it lasts eh.?

my eyes hurt from my crying session..that story is so sad...:/

CrzyBritNAmerica · 04-06-2007, 04:49 PM

Aww, I hate that! I had to control my crying since I'm at work lol!

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 04:50 PM

hehe yeah ..i wanted to hug my pup..but she kept nibbling me lol

cata.m · 04-06-2007, 05:12 PM

that was such a sad, sad story......that made me cry.... and to think that i´m going to be that woman some day.....

iwantmypup · 04-06-2007, 05:13 PM

what do you mean by that women?