This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
This is a very sad story told by a dog.. it will make you cry. Ruthie, nw
mt
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, 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 have defended them with
my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams.
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 or cat, 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 goodbye 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, 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 a
