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Pet Abandonment
How could you?
The sad fact is that pet abandonment is
epidemic. The following story is written from the
perspective of an abandoned family pet. Please don't let this happen
to a pet that you know. Find a home for that pet by accessing our
pet adoption resources.
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, youıd shake your finger at me and ask How could you? But then
youıd 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 anymore 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 patiently, comforted you
through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad
decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and then 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 defend 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 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. Youıve 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 sonıs fingers
loose from my collar as he screamed No Daddy! Please donıt 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 lead 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 realised 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 Iım so sorry. She hugged me, and
hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place,
where I couldnıt be ignored or abused or abandoned, or to 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.
A note from the Author: If How Could You? brought tears to your eyes as
you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the
composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year
in American, Canadian and British animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to
distribute this essay for a non-commercial purpose, as long as it is
properly attributed with the copyright. Tell the public that the decision
to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals
deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home
for your animal is your responsibility. Please use it to help educate, on
your websites, in newsletters, or animal shelters and vet notice boards.
All life is precious.
Please pass this on to everyone; it could save, maybe, even one unwanted
pet.
Remember - They love UNCONDITIONALLY, if you give them LOVE.
Please find a home for your pet by accessing our
pet
adoption resources.
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