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 have 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 you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of.  I will think of you and wait for you forever.  May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

HOW COULD YOU?    By Jim Willis    2001  


This story broke my heart, I wish that everyone would rescue these animals before it comes to this. :(

Oh, my goodness!  This is so sad!   :'(  It makes me want to run home and play with my dog.  

That is so sad! I seriously almost cried near the end.  :'(
If I were her, I would have kept the dog instead of using the hypodermic needle. But she's not the one I'm really mad at; I'm mad at that stupid owner. I could kick his @ss!  >:(

I wonder what the owner would have done if the apartment did not allow children.

Awwwww....man.....I'm in tears right now.

It makes me so sick to hear about people treating animals like that. I wish I could have a dog but due to a stupid move by my dad, I lost my Dog(Husky) and the privelege of owning another as long as I'm a resident in my building.

:(

OK, I read it.

:'( So true this is... wasnt we put here on this earth to tend to gods creatures? as a animal lover myself I hafe to contain myself from going to local pound cause its so heart wrenching. They say that you can tell a persons nature in the way they react and interact with animals, and I am a true believer in that. I am recently divorced and my x always fussed about any animals I had or tried to keep, this is one reason he is now an X.. I now live alone, with the aid of my pets... 3 dogs.. 1 cat and 1 bird... for which two of those were rescued from the pound, I wouldnt be here today.

That owner was completly oblivious to what's going to happen to his dog. He is so STUPID. But it's not just him it's millions of other people who do this everyday... >:(

You know, I've been telling myself for awhile now that I want to get a dog. At first I thought I would buy a puppy but then I thought about all the other dogs who are in the ASPCA who need homes too. I'm still waiting because I don't have the money now, but after reading this story, I am definetly going to adopt a dog, I hate to think of any animal being unloved.

I only have two problems....

My roomate has a finnicky, territorial cat, but I think if I let the dog choose me, the cat won't be a problem, the cats declawed anyway so It probably will be fine.

Second, it's stories like this one and my own big heart that is going to make it absolutley impossible not to fall in love with every dog I meet. But like I said, I'm going to let the dog choose me. Thats the only way friendships like these last. Animals just know what kind of person you are.

Reading this story almost made me cry at the end, it made me want to run to the ASPCA and adopt a dog today!!!

Rio