Please watch this if you are thinking about breeding your pet for profit! PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. Let them be a family member, and not your source of income.

Brightlion | In Hope - English

Altenweg

Starby, I hope you don't mind if I post this, I've posted it before. If you can read this without crying then you should never get a dog.

It's written by Jim Willis, it's called "how could you?"

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 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, 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 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 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 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

starbuck8

These puppies were from just ONE shelter, on one day, and I'm sure they didn't bring 1/8th of them! Who knows how many got homes. Hopefully all of these ones, because they were likely TV stars after their special national appearance, but what about the ones that weren't. You absolutely can't tell me that you can't find the breed you want at a shelter! Any shape and size! Do we need to kill these precious faces to make room for more, when people either become backyard breeders, or buy from them or petstores?

Okay.....everyone get ready to go AWWWWWWW!!!!

YouTube - The ABC25 News Blooper Reel: Puppy 25!

Altenweg

We did try to find a beagle at a rescue, we didn't necessarily need to have a puppy. I have to say that some breeds are almost impossible to find in a shelter in certain areas. I found tons of beagle rescues in the states and in Ottawa, but none near me. I would even have been willing to drive a few hours, but I'm not willing to adopt a dog site unseen and have it flown to me.

The SPCA in Edmonton usually only has large breed dogs, it's very rare to find a smaller breed and even then they're usually 8years old plus. No problem, I would take an older dog, but most of them have so many restriction, I don't usually qualify. Things like, no kids, no other pets etc.

Sometimes I think the shelters make it too hard for someone to adopt a pet. Yes, they may think that the 2 year old lab shouldn't be place in a home with children under the age of 16, but not all kids are the same, not all breeds are the same. At 2 years of age most dogs can adapt to younger kids, especially a lab. It makes me angry sometimes. No wonder most people go to a pet store, no questions asked, just pay and go.

I think we have to start with the shelters, make it easier for people who want to take home a shelter dog.

Here's some examples of the dogs in the Edmonton Humane society.


This is Joy a Lab/collie 3 1/2 years old
Joy needs a home with children 16 years or older.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption process.
Needs a home without other animals


This is Violet a brindle lab 3 1/2 years old
Violet needs a home with children 16 years of age and older and with no other animals.


This is Sneezy had to do it because of Sneezy, 2 month old Shepherd
No restriction because he's a puppy


This is Bowtie Shepherd 3 years old
Bowtie needs a home with children 12 years or older.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption match

rex123

Sneezy is so beautiful, it looks like theres some husky in there.

Altenweg

It sure does. He's a cutie.

There are lots of puppies in the Edmonton SPCA right now, many pitbull puppies which of course come with lots of restrictions, more so then the others. In Edmonton, in order to own a pitbull there are many hoops to jump through and alot of money to pay out.

Altenweg

An update on dogs available at the Edmonton Humane society. OMG, they have a beagle, I can't believe it! I've never seen a beagle in their shelter, never! Darnit, I really want to go rescue him, but 4 dogs, that would be a bit much, don't you think?

Okay, here's a few of the dogs available right now and their restrictions.



9 month old Labrador, male; Freddy is sweet, but may have difficulties understanding boundaries around small children. Freddy may get too excited, and may accidentally knock small children over or play too rough with them.

Based on these behaviors, we recommend that Freddy go to a home with children 7 years and older.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption match.




Australian Shepard, age unknown, Male; This dog is highly aroused and showing controlling behaviors. He may have a difficult time understanding boundaries around small children, and may knock them over or play too rough with them.
Based on these behaviors, we recommend this dog go to a home with children 7 years and older.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption match.




Labrador, 3 months old, female; Emerald is very playful, but may play too rough with small children. Emerald would be better suited in a home with older children.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption match.



Beagle, 3 months old, male; Copper is playful, but is a little anxious and may take some time to adjust to his new family. He is well suited in a family with children of any age.
All family members must attend adoption process to ensure best adoption match.


That's the update. I know, Awwwwww!

starbuck8

Awwww...I want Freddy or Emerald!! Alty...stop making me look at more!!

Altenweg

I'm just in shock that there's a beagle puppy in the SPCA, that's a first. Darnit, Starby, stop me, I really want to go get him, he looks so darn sad. Imagine how happy he would be here, he's only 2 months younger than Chewy, they'd have a blast. I can just picture Jasper and Indy's faces if I brough this little guy home, "Are you kidding? Another one? Are you crazy?" Ya, I know I can't, but boy do I want to.

starbuck8

Your neighbours will kill you! You know that right? LOL! Poor itty witty bitty beagle puppy wuppy! Auntie Alty will make sure you get a home! She'll be checking everyday! I know she will!

Altenweg

Darnit, you're right, I will be checking every day. Heck, I just sent an email to Wiggy's cousin, they adore Chewy, want a pup just like him, hopefully they'll adopt, they're great fur parents, have a 1 year old yellow lab, live on an acerage, he'd have a great life!

Darn laws, I need to live on a farm, I really do! Can you imagine how many fur babies I could adopt if I lived on a farm? Wow, the sky's the limit.

Okay, looking to buy a farm now, real estate pages here I come! I will have my zoo yet, you wait and see.