PDA

View Full Version : How Could You?!



DJFyrewolf36
06-08-2004, 10:28 AM
I found this in my old website files...not sure if was posted here before but every time I read it, it gets to me...

People stink :mad: :mad:
--------------------


HOW COULD YOU?
by Jim Willis 2001

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 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

CatMama78
06-08-2004, 11:15 AM
:( Ok now I have to dry my eyes cause I'm at work. That was so, so sad. I'm sad and I'm angry. People make me so mad sometimes. How could they is right.

heinz57_79
06-08-2004, 06:35 PM
good grief... :( I'm such a sap anyway and things like this make me BAWL!

AvaJoy
06-08-2004, 09:54 PM
How heartwrenching, and unfortunately this scenario is all too common. Shelters are full of pets that have been forsaken. My heart bleeds for them.:( :mad:

ILoveMyAbbyGirl
06-08-2004, 10:44 PM
I've read it before and I can't read it anymore, because it's the sad truth and I cry every time. :(

trayi52
06-09-2004, 01:56 AM
Just too, too sad!:( :(

CathyBogart
06-09-2004, 02:02 AM
I've seen this before, I can't read it, I always cry. :(

davidpizzica
06-09-2004, 02:17 AM
That story is so sad and true. When I was looking for a kitty, I intentionally wanted an older one, one whose fate would have been similar. I REALLY HATE it when people treat their pets as disposible!!

joycenalex
06-09-2004, 07:18 AM
...as god is my witness, alex will never take that walk down a hallway with anyone else but me there to hold him as he passes to the bridge to join duke, tj, janus and fish. this story makes me so mad and so sad at the same time

DJFyrewolf36
06-09-2004, 09:51 AM
At first I was like :( and then :mad: :mad: :mad: because it is so rediculas how people think animals can be cast aside when the circumstances aren't "Perfect" If you cant handle a pet in the worst of times then don't get a pet at all. You can't shelter kids can you? although people try...

Grrrrr

cocker_luva
06-09-2004, 10:40 AM
i have received that email before, stupid me, i read it again; and once again i am in tears! :rolleyes: :)

DJFyrewolf36
06-10-2004, 10:00 AM
As I said before, people suck *excuse the english*

G.P.girl
06-10-2004, 05:25 PM
:( :( :( that's so sad

sweet_stormy
06-18-2004, 10:05 PM
that is soo sad. when i get older i have promised so many people that i will own a NO-KILL animal shelter. and all the animals that come into my shelter leave WITH A FAMILY and not by being put to sleep. I don't know how people can just give their animals away to shelters like that. What? they don't have enough time to put a flyer or something up saying they want to get rid of their animal? either way, animals should not be put to sleep. they should live their life to its fullest. not come to a stop because the "right person" hasn't come to adopt that animal. i want to become really rich when i get older and adopt A LOT of animals from Kill shelters and shelter them in my NO- KILL shelter. all my friends know how i feel about someone killing an animal just for the sport of it, or just because no one wants it. ever since i could reemember i have been an absolute animal FREAK! I mean it too. I would be obsessed with animals 24/7. I always had to have a conversation with an animal in it.

*~sweet_stormy~*

PrincessPP
06-24-2004, 03:40 PM
I have read this before, and cried and cried .. and it still gives me the same reaction .. :(

DJFyrewolf36
06-24-2004, 03:46 PM
If it didn't make me so mad, I'd cry too...I did when I first read it....

bluekat
06-24-2004, 04:16 PM
I've read that once before and I will never read it again:( Its just too sad and I cried when I read it that time. I know I will cry again if I read it again. It makes me mad in a way too, and sad in another...

CamCamPup33
06-24-2004, 04:39 PM
Ahh im in such a sappy mood today, this made me bawl my eyes out..

I've read this many times before and cried.. It's so sad.. :(

DJFyrewolf36
06-25-2004, 11:38 AM
The worst thing about it is that it HAPPENS

All too often, and MORE now if that thing in CA passes...

delidog
07-05-2004, 04:52 PM
Yes, I have seen & Read that Many times before...So Heartwrenching....
Jim Willis has his own website...with other collections he has written....he has always been for the animals...

The Heartwrenching Turn in this...is that about 6 or 8 months ago,Mr.Willis' home caught fire and he lost all his beloved adopted animals...they were looking for supporters for him to rebuild a while back...Such a good man,with a big heart...Sometimes you must ask Why Him???

Try jimwillis.com
you should be able to get the whole story there

delidog
07-05-2004, 04:56 PM
Actually,if you do a Google search.....Jim Willis...it pulls all his works,books,poems,etc.

caseysmom
07-06-2004, 03:45 PM
I am at work and bawling like a baby.

DJFyrewolf36
07-07-2004, 11:46 AM
Thank you for the info DeliDog!

delidog
07-08-2004, 06:59 AM
You Are Welcome...
He has some more Really nice Books,Etc...
Also,If people buy his books,it will personally help him rebuild...

chrissycat21
07-11-2004, 05:42 PM
Gosh, I've read that before. it made me cry then. Now I'm crying again. That story is so true in so many ways, things like that happen all the time.

:( :( :( :(
-Chrissy

Wally U
10-25-2006, 10:12 AM
This may be an old thread, but as got further and further through the posting, I got more and more sad. By the time I reached the end, my eyes were watering and tearing. People like this should NOT be allowed to own any pets, EVER!!! :mad:

Wally U
10-25-2006, 10:15 AM
I have read this before, and cried and cried .. and it still gives me the same reaction .. :(

Sally, I just got finished reading this one. Believe it or not, I broke down and cried too. People like this should never be allowed to own pets, NEVER :( :mad:

DJFyrewolf36
10-25-2006, 03:48 PM
I'm glad this is still getting attention...

Poor animals...people really just don't get it

Laura's Babies
10-25-2006, 05:08 PM
The sad truth is that this happens so many times to so many pets.