A letter from a dog

MyValentine · 01-20-2010, 02:17 AM

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 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 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. T hey 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.

**fawkese1** · 01-20-2010, 02:19 AM

oh...this always makes me cry...

so sad...

Mikey · 01-20-2010, 02:19 AM

OMG that makes me cry everytime

Such a good story-people should think

MyValentine · 01-20-2010, 02:26 AM

snopes.com: Letter from God about Abbey (Dead Dog)

This one made me ball

**fawkese1** · 01-20-2010, 02:30 AM

oh that is so sad and so sweet...

restores my faith in humanity that one person would be so thoughtful...thanks for sharing...

MyValentine · 01-20-2010, 02:34 AM

It made me cry and then got me thinking about life..and now..I miss my mom and dad!!
I am such a big baby!

That story deserves its own thread! I am gunna post it on its own.

Ladipyg · 01-23-2010, 11:57 AM

I have gone deeply into debt, refused to move any place that didn't allow dogs and gone without so my fur kids would be taken care of...how sad that we have become a society of "everything is disposable". I lost my Otis yesterday and I am sitting here crying for missing him. What I wouldn't give for one more hug...one more sloppy wet kiss...I would gladly shave years off the end of my life if I could give them to him and keep him longer!%

MyValentine · 01-23-2010, 01:42 PM

aw, this is a sad story, I know. I am sorry.
Once they are gone, they are gone for good. And sometimes It is a very hard thing to think about but,it happens.
Your buddy is now in heaven! Happy and free and in no pain!
He is looking down on you ad I am sure he wouldn't want you sad and crying.
Make him happy and be happy! Thats how he likes your to be!
It will be ok.

petFriendly · 02-27-2010, 11:26 AM

This is a sad, but must ready story.

Mikey · 02-28-2010, 04:45 AM

I love this one

The Starfish Poem
Once upon a time there was a wise man
Who used to go the ocean to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking on the beach
Before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore,
As he looked down the beach he saw a human
Figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone
Who would dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man
And the young man wasn’t dancing,
But instead he was reaching down to the shore,
Picking up something and very gently
Throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out,
“Good morning! What are you doing?”
The young man paused, looked up and replied,
“Throwing starfish in the ocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, why
Are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out.
And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.”
“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are
Miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it.
You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish
And threw it into the sea,
Past the breaking waves and said -
“It made a difference for that one.

And to be totally frank-this is why I am never havng a child-I could not stand something being more important then my fur-babies. I don't disrespect those that have real children and fur babies but I couldn't and that's why for me at least.