"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 bellyrub.
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 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 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.
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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.
Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose,as
long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.
Please use it 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 and neuter
campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. - Jim Willis
Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it
could save maybe, even one unwanted pet.
Make sure there's no other choice
NOTE FROM THE WEBSITE OWNER: Most people aren't aware that, especially in Gloucester County,
during summer months 20-30 pets are euthanized DAILY. Surrendered
pets are the ones destroyed first since strays
must be held 7 days before they can be euthanized.
Check the web for shelters in your area and call EVERY ONE
if you MUST give up your pet and find out which ones
are "No Kill."
Most county/state shelters must kill since they
are bound by law to always be capable of accepting strays.
An extra 10-20 minute drive is NO EXCUSE to turn your pet
over to a euthanizing shelter if a "no kill"
shelter is reachable. For people in Southern New Jersey,
just a few of the "no kill" shelters are:
Animal Orphanage - Voorhees, NJ
AWA (Animal Welfare Association) - Voorhees, NJ
Animal Adoption Center - Voorhees, NJ
Give them the chance that they so much deserve!
Tips for finding your pet a good home.
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