A Sad Story

1

HOW COULD YOU?2

By Jim Willis 20013

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics4

and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite5

a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw6

pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"7

you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" --8

but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.9

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because10

you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together.11

I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening12

to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that13

life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks14

and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only15

got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said),16

and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home17

at the end of the day.18

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on19

your career, and more time searching for a human mate.20

I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks21

and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions,22

and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you23

fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still24

welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and25

obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.26

Then the human babies came along and I shared your27

excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they28

smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and29

you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of30

my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.31

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner32

of love."33

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to34

my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked35

fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me36

kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their37

touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I38

would have defended them with my life if need be. I would39

sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret40

dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in41

the driveway.42

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a43

dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and44

told them stories about me. These past few years, you just45

answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from46

being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every47

expenditure on my behalf.48

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and49

you and they50

will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets.51

You've made the right decision for your "family," but there52

was a time when I was your only family. I was excited53

about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.54

It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness.55

You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find56

a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a57

pained look. They understand the realities facing a58

middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."59

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as60

he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!"61

And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught62

him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility,63

and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye64

pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to65

take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to66

meet and now I have one, too.67

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew68

about your upcoming move months ago and made no69

attempt to find me another good home. They shook their70

heads and asked "How could you?"71

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their72

busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I73

lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed74

my pen, I rushed to the75

front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind --76

that this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it would at least77

be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I78

realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention79

of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far80

corner and waited.81

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end82

of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a83

separate room. A blissfully quiet room.84

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told85

me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what86

was to come, but there was also a sense of relief.87

The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was88

more concerned about her.89

The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I90

know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She91

gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran92

down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used93

to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the94

hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the95

cool liquid coursing through my body,96

I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured97

"How could you?"98

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said99

"I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it100

was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where101

I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend102

for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from103

this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried104

to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?"105

was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I106

was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.107

May everyone in your life continue to show you so108

much loyalty.109

The End110

A note from the author:111

If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it,112

as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite113

story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each114

year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is115

welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose,116

as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.117

Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in118

newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards.119

Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is120

an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and121

sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for122

your animal is your responsibility and any local humane123

society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice,124

and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the125

killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to126

prevent unwanted animals.127

All web site content Copyrighted © 2004 Double J Kennel128