How could you? - Page 1

Thought you all might enjoy the following story.

                                                                        HOW COULD YOU?

                                                                            By Jim Willis

 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 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 anymore 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 careeer, and more time searching for your 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 wouldve 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 another 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

SSDD

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 dont let them take my dog!" And I worried for himeand 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 schedule allows. 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 seperate room. A blissfully quiet room.

cont'd

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 that 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 forelg 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 eyes and murmered "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 amake sure I went to a better place, where I wouldnt 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.

The End.......

I read this on a website and thought I would share it with all of you in the hopes it may just bring a bit tighter hug to your dog and/or pup and just a reminder of how lucky we truly are to experience this boundless love and loyalty.

i have read this before, it was a bulletin i received and reposted on myspace. the first part of the bulletin said that the author paid an incredible $4,ooo to have this printed taking up a full two pages in a newspaper, i forget where. the author said that if it brought tears to the readers' eyes as it did to his when he wrote it, to have copies of it printed and placed anywhere they would be read, to help spread the story of the plight of shelter animals and as an attempt to help save them. this made me cry so hard, it is so sad that someone could abandon a loving, faithful friend. i have a kid too, but for many years i only had furkids, and would never trade any of them for anything in this world.

Wow, sitting here at work, this brought tears to my eyes!  How true it is,  maybe it will open some people's eyes (and hearts).  Hope everyone will take the time to read it, and thanks for posting it!!  cmills

How SADLY  true this is.Thanks for sharing this.

Thank you for sharing this story , It's so sad but true, How could anyone???

I can not even see the computer anymore......