How could you?

Devilofabird · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 04:17 PM

grab some kleenex now:

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 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, especially 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."

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.

Please think of this when you contemplate getting a new pet. the responsibility lasts for THEIR lifetime. Please spay and nueter them so their babies don't have to face this. Don't give them as gifts. Please.

Clutch · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 05:39 PM

my girlfriend works at a pet store and it is unbelieveable how many ppl gave pets as presents for xmas. i don't even want to think about how many of them will be ignored, abused, bred to fight ect. i have had 2 dogs in my lifetime. the first, a pure breed german shepard, had to be put down at about 3+ years. it was a very hard thing to do. he had started having seizures and went into one for over 36 hours. he came out blind and without the use of his hind legs. we tried for a short while to get him mobil again and as we started makin progress he had another seizure. we decided it would be better for HIM to put him to sleep. we have his ashes upstairs next to my mothers bed. we now have a golden lab who, despite being a royal PITA and a big baby, is a loving dog, scratch that, friend. i knew kids in school and a few now who claim to breed pits and rotties for fighting and bet on their dogs. if i EVER find out any of this is true with them i will personally rip their sacs off and shove them down their throats!

#3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutch

i knew kids in school and a few now who claim to breed pits and rotties for fighting and bet on their dogs. if i EVER find out any of this is true with them i will personally rip their sacs off and shove them down their throats!

this i gota c.......

89VetteFromHell · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 05:47 PM

im like super animal friendly... i got me a new cat and i love him, hes part of the family and the ONLY thing that would seperate me from him would be me dying before he does!

Devilofabird · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonteMadneSS04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutch

i knew kids in school and a few now who claim to breed pits and rotties for fighting and bet on their dogs. if i EVER find out any of this is true with them i will personally rip their sacs off and shove them down their throats!

this i gota c.......

sell tickets. then put the money towards helping those poor dogs! )^( I'd shove their nuts up their noses, but same principal.

good boy. :smt023

Devilofabird · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89VetteFromHell

im like super animal friendly... i got me a new cat and i love him, hes part of the family and the ONLY thing that would seperate me from him would be me dying before he does!

I like you more and more every time you post :-) :smt023

#7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 06:07 PM

jimbo is the MANNNN :smt023

Blue02Formula · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 07:43 PM

I read this to my dog (Stains) and he's still weeping.

Ta Jay · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 08:27 PM

cliff notes?

White Phoenix · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 08:42 PM

well i took my 15 year old cat into the vet today actually for her checkup. She lives here in Michigan but will be living with me next year. I already told my dad he cant have her. He and my stepmom put up a fight but i have way more time for her as a student then they give her with always going out to eat, work, and golf lol....

but she is my baby

oh and she likes to eat my ice cream and annoy me when im on my laptop

and these are the two cats my GF has... the dark one i got her... she loved her so much she got another like 6 months later. The cats are not related at all but will not leave each others side

these are "hairless cats" but they feel like velvet and have hair but they do not shed. I got them because they are hypoallergenic because my GF is allergic to regular cats dandar(sp?)