My Sad Stories.....
A Few Stories to let you see things through our four legged friend's eyes.....They can't tell you how they feel, but maybe this will encourage people to stop and think about the responsibilites of having the privilige of sharing their lives with our Canine friends........(Tissues required), and not simply having a "cute" puppy, then when it grows up tossing it out, like a worn pair of shoes....... look at these loving faces of these happy Pei as you read these very sad but too often "True" stories from our loving companions eyes...
"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 would shake your finger at me, and ask "How could you?", but then you would relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My house breaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on it together. I remember those nights nuzzling you in bed ans 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 you said that ice cream was bad for dogs), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradualy, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited paitently for you, comfortated you through the heartbreaks and disappointments and never chided you about your 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 our excitement. I was facinated by their pinkness, hoe they smelled and I wanted to mother them too, only she and you were worried that I might hurt them, so I spent most of my time banished to another room or a dog crate. Oh how I wanted to love them. As they began to grow, I became their friend, they clung onto my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked their fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and would have defended tham 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 if you has 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 appartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your family, but there was a time when "I" was your family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear and hopelessness. You filled out the paper work 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 from my collar, as he screamed " No Daddy", please don't let them take my dog!, and I worried for him and the lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyality, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoiding my eyes and refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet, and now I have one too.
After you left, two nice ladies said you probably knew months ago about your upcoming move and you made no attempt to find me another home, They shook their heads and asked "How could you?".
They are as attentive to us here at 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 that it was you, that you had changed your mind, that it was all a bad dream, or hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realised that I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of the 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 seperate room. A blissfully quiet room, she placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry, my heart pounded with anticipation of what was to come, but there was no sense of relief, the prisoner of love had run out of time.
As was in my nature, I was more concerned about her, the burden which she bears, weighs heaviky on her,and I know that, the way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a torniquet 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 am so sorry", she hugged me and hurriedly explained, that it was her job , to make sure that I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned or have to fend for myself, a place so very different from this earthly place, and with my lst 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 loyality. Till we meet again, across the "Rainbow Bridge", my loving master.
