[Alty]

I wanted to share this with all of you, I am not the author, Jim Willis is, but I thought that it was an important story to share. Warning, if you love animals this will make you cry.


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 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

Copyright Jim Willis 2001 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 America's shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a non-commercial 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. I appreciate receiving copies of newsletters which reprint "How Could You?" or "The Animals' Savior," sent to me at the last postal address below. 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. If you are a member of an animal welfare organization, I encourage you to participate in the Spay/Neuter Billboard Campaign from ISAR (International Society for Animal Rights); for more information, please visit: www.i-s-a-r.com Thank you,Jim WillisDirector, The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust,accredited member of The American Sanctuary Association,and Program Coordinator, International Society for Animal Rightse-mail: [email protected]

[dogpoundbrenda]

I read this story and I did cry because I have experienced this first hand when I was a Shelter manager for 6 years.We constantly had older dogs and cats brought in after living with one family for years and years and yet they expected us to find them a home.I told them their chances of finding a home was near o and yet they just signed the papers and walked away.I watched these precious creatures slip into deep depression,refuse to eat or drink and basically just give up on life.I showed them as much love and attention as I could and yet it was never enough.And when the time came for them to leave this world for a better place,I was there too,crying and telling them it will be OK,and you are going to a forever home.I hope people will read this and really think about their decision to become a pet owner.For me its till death do us part and personally that's the way it should be.

[starbuck8]

Oh my, Alty!

That just breaks my heart! I know it happens all the time, but the reality of it just really hits you when you hear a story like that.

I got my baby Niki just days before they were going to put her to sleep. She is the light of my life, and I will never forget the look in her eyes, and the big smile on her face when we walked out of the rescue shelter. She was brought there just because her owner worked all day and left her outside on a chain... so she had nothing to do but bark all day and the neighbors complained. She is the most loving and smartest dog I could ever hope for. From day one, she has never pee'd on my floor, chewed anything that wasn't hers, or didn't listen when I asked her to stop barking when she was outside. (in her large, roomy yard) To think that she could've been put down just makes me sad. She never did any wrong to anyone! She was just bored!

It just baffles my mind, why people still keep on breeding dogs (and cats etc) when there are soooo many, of all different ages, breeds, and so on, that just need a loving home to go to. They are happy with just a good meal, a few treats, and their fave toy. Some people still don't understand that spaying and neutering is better for your pets. They are healthier, happier, and more adjusted that way.

I'm going to print off your post and take it to my local shelter, and also pass it on to my friends. Maybe even see if they can have it published in the newpaper here!

Thanks Alty! :)

[binx44]

This story broke my heart I cried for a good twenty minutes. I rescued my dog before he even made it to a shelter ( his previous owner had five dogs and just couldn't take care of them any more. We use the same vet and she even worries about him becoming "dog broke" its easier for him now with only two pups, a full grown rottie and an ageing soon to pass away dobe. And its easier for me knowing he is being taken care of. Not that he wasn't before but its just a better life for him than going to a shelter and maybe not making it out alive especially since he is such a unique dog and dog breed.

[starbuck8]

Alty, I totally forgot about this thread! I bet you did too! Geez, a lot has happened since you first started this thread hey? I'm glad it's been re-opened so some of the newer people can read it too.

Niki is laying at my feet right now on her pillow, and looks so snuggly and warm in this God awful weather we are getting. She looks like a big white cottonball... BIG white cottonball, LOL! But she is so nice and content in dreamland.

I sure don't see how anyone could have ever walked away from her and her big brown pleading eyes! Well, she will never be walked away from again, I can tell you that! :)

[Alty]

I did forget about this thread, I'm so glad it's been found and re-opened.

It's an important message, one we should all hear and take to heart.

Jasper is upstairs cuddling with Chewy, it's the cutest thing. Jasper probably would have been one of the lost dogs, you all know his story, he wasn't the type of pup most people would consider adopting. He's blossomed here and continues to do so every day.

[starbuck8]

Niki is so cute at bedtime. She jumps up onto the couch with me, like she usually does until she jumps down about 10 minutes later, to snuggle on her big pillow.

I usually give her a bedtime treat. I hide it under the blanket somewhere. I wink at her, and she winks back at me, and then I hide it. Then she will lift her chin up and just stare at me. I talk to her, teasing her, saying... do you think you deserve this?. she lifts her chin a little higher and winks again. Then I say... do you know where it is? She lifts her chin again and winks. Finally, after several minutes of this, I whisper... "okay." Then she just goes crazy trying to get to it! It's so funny to watch her. You would think it's C'mas all the time, just to look at her face when she finds it. Then she always comes and gives me a big kiss, and down she goes onto her pillow! I wouldn't give that up for the world! :)

[rex123]

This is so unbelievably sad, how could someone ever do this to there dog, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and rex is licking my hand and looking at me as if to wonder why I'm sad.

[starbuck8]

What would we ever do without our dogs? I can't, and don't want to, ever imagine!