"A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page
ad in the paper to present the following ...essay to the people of his
community.
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 familyI 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 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. 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 & Canadian
animal shelters. Please use this 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 & neuter campaigns in order to prevent
unwanted animals.Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or
make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.
Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY."
Enough said . . .
Liv
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