How could you

A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page
ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of his
community.

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'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. 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
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.

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 animal shelters. Please use this
to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter
and vet office bulletin boards. 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 and any local humane
society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that
all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and
encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted
animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but
it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love
UNCONDITIONALLY.

Now that the tears are rolling down your face, pass it on! Send to
everyone in your address book and around the world! This IS the reality
of dogs given up to shelters!




OMG i cryed I know it is based for america buyt the same thing happens here aswell pass it on.......

I have read this  before and it breaks your heart. But unfortunately this happens thousands of times a day. Oprah did a show last week on adopting dogs from the animal shelters and NOT from pet shops or puppy farmers.  She did however recomend reputable registered breeders as well.   I found the show very good and hopefully it managed to save a few thousand dog souls. We need more publicity for dog shelters and the quality of dogs that they have to rehome. I also believe that desexing should be at a much cheaper rate in America the ASPCA have spey and neuter clinics which are FREE. They also help those that have too many animals desex their pets for free. I seen on Animal Cops that a woman had a apartment full of cats it started out as five and she ended up with forty or more... all in bred of course. They organised the clinic to come to her home (mobile surgery) and desexed all the cats for free this also included vaccinations, worming and flea products. For all the money the RSPCA recieves in donations why can't they do this for the public. The more pets desexed the less in the shelters the less sent to their deaths way too early. Shall now remove myself from my soap box but it really gets me that people don't realise that responsible pet ownership is about desexing your pets as well as providing care, food and shelter most of all love and attention.

I've read it before too, it still makes me cry. We are getting a new standard in April. We thought very long and hard about how this dog would fit into our family, and we are both committed to her already.
There are just too many peple who don't THINK before they get a pet.
That show Oprah did was realy good, I heard it generated ALOT of mail, even Oprah said she had no idea how big the problem is.

I know the sad thing is that the COUNCIL had the idea for the cat SNIP and CHIP not the RSPCA i would have thought they get a decent amount of donations to atleast run some thing like this once a yr or something.


The least you can do if you have to get rid of a pet is rehome it responsibly.

We had to rehome a fish and 2 parrots and we looked for months to find suitible homes. The fish now lives with an ENVIRONMENTALIST(sp) and the parrots with a family friends that loves them to death and is always doing right by them. That was the least we could do for them after all the love they gave us.

You're right Beth, sometimes there are circumstances..it's the people who treat pets like throwaways that get me..

I totally agree if you cannot take care of your pets then by all means find them a loving home. Screen the people properly make sure the dog/cats/etc are healthy and preferably desexed. Sometimes circumstances dictate that this has to happen I understand but the one excuse I hate the most and is used the  most "we are moving and can't take the dog with us the new landlord won't allow it." Now if were me you find somewhere that allows your pets and your family.  Pathetic excuse and it makes my blood boil. Lori how exciting a new puppy I love standard poodles what colour?  Can't wait to see photos.... oh and congratulations on your 300 th post!!

HI MIni,the new poo is sort of cream now, but will turn white, I hope whiter than Mingo. The plan is to keep Mingo pink, it's just "not right" when she is any other color. The new poo however, will get to enjoy a rainbow of colors. She will be Michaels dog and If I ever get the nerve I may compete with her. I get her in April when I meet up with owner at a groom show!

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lorie wrote:HI MIni,the new poo is sort of cream now, but will turn white, I hope whiter than Mingo. The plan is to keep Mingo pink, it's just "not right" when she is any other color. The new poo however, will get to enjoy a rainbow of colors. She will be Michaels dog and If I ever get the nerve I may compete with her. I get her in April when I meet up with owner at a groom show!

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That's great!! Can't wait to see her do you have a name for her and is she going to be as spoilt as Mingo. Do you watch groomer has it on animal planet... I have only caught bits of it but it seems that it can get very competitive out there in the grooming world. April is not that far off at all what a wonderful new thing to bring home a new puppy. Have fun.

I really like the name Audrey., but noone else seems to..Yes, Groomer Has It is fun to watch. I have met several of the people who were on it, including Artist, who won. Here is a pic of me and Will !

And here is me and Artist! And, Jonathan from NYC

Wow, that's an awful pic, but they were very nice friendly people!

why isnt your hair pink????? lol great pics

Sometimes it is!!