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How Could You??

i love you

26 Oct, 2011 05:40 AM

This is the saddest story make sure that you read all of it and have a box of hankies handy. This in relation to getting a "No Kill" animal shelter in Knoxville.

Pass this on to any pet lover that you know.

"How Could You?" by An Animal Lover

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 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 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 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.

The End

A Note From a Pet Care Professional

The dog in this story could easily be a cat, a ferret, a rabbit, or any of the numerous animals discarded at shelters. Please remember that animals are not disposable.

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Comments

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Preeam says:
07 May, 2012 10:10 AM

There's this saying that - YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL YOU LOOSE IT.

The unconditional love most of us seek for in vain throughout our lives are always readily made available for us by dogs and we never really have to prove ourselves in any way in front of them to achieve it. May be that is why just a trifling minority among us truly acknowledge the depth and altruism in their behavior towards us and realize that we can never be able to love anyone in the same way after being trapped within the multilayer cocoon of selfishness we have built around ourselves in all these years.

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BunnyWabbit says:
07 May, 2012 11:05 AM

='( humans can be so cruel...and dogs so beautiful...

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Bailey Nixon says:
07 May, 2012 01:16 PM

Oh. my. god. This was so sad. I absoltutely love animals and it is just so sad :(

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Sandra Payag says:
12 May, 2012 04:22 PM

I really appreciate the story..
We really don't know what they feel. When they stare us, their something that they want to tell.. Especially when I am crying in front of my cat MOIMOI.. They can't talk but they can teach us!! Learn how to value everything.. Big or small..

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alex says:
13 May, 2012 09:16 PM

This is really a heartbreaking story.how could people throw away their animals I'm a animal person can't even hurt a ant because its gods hard work people plase take care of your animals and love them the same as the first day that's the best feeling ever if you are off to go and collect your new puppy and thinking of what name is she or he going 2 have..remember dogs as a hart and blood just like you...

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rajesh says:
14 May, 2012 11:27 AM

love u

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Empty void says:
15 May, 2012 02:50 AM

This is a great story, the loyalty to the master is uncomprehending hope there are in a better place

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SWEETKILLER143 says:
18 May, 2012 02:36 AM

I was very touch about the story..!!!

I was crying when i read the last part..!!

I have a dog too but I will never dispose her...!!!

I love her so much..!!!

I hope those dog caretaker will not do the same as the story ended...!!!

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Liriam Zayas says:
18 May, 2012 04:44 PM

o my goodness!!! this made me cry so much!!!! I'm an animal lover and i will forever love may sweet gema (dog).. i hope she never goes through that and i hope my love for her never wares off.

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Leii says:
21 May, 2012 11:25 AM

I cry hard .. After reading this,. I hugged my dog so tight :'(

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Nadia abdela says:
02 Jun, 2012 04:45 AM

Oh a lovely story i m crying

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Karla... says:
04 Jun, 2012 11:01 PM

this reminded me of when they took my dog..my mother cried and so did my little sisters i kept the tears in but i do really miss my dog , we found him on the streets and one day my dad just didnt want the dog anymore..://

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Hayley says:
06 Jun, 2012 05:10 AM

I'm in tears right now. I'm an animal lover, animals don't deserve that kind of life. I could never leave my pet behind if I had to leave to a different city. That pet is a part of my family and I can't leave him or her behind.

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Sarah says:
03 Aug, 2012 08:17 PM

So great!!

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pathetic says:
09 May, 2014 04:37 AM

This is the sadest story I heard

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Pujie says:
26 Oct, 2014 02:38 PM

Hello. I am curious what kind of plant that is in the first pcriute...? It is so beautiful! I love looking at your blog. My husband is from Gent and I can't wait until our next trip so I can come to your lovely shop!

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Carly says:
20 Aug, 2015 06:14 PM

I was crying so much. This is horrifying to the dog. How could the person giving the dog away live with them selves.

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Caryl says:
20 Aug, 2015 06:16 PM

I hugged my dog so so tight after I read this story. That person is a complete idiot for giving a dog away.

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Purple says:
28 Aug, 2015 06:14 PM

Oh my god... This story brought back the saddest memories... I used to have 2 birds, and i loved them so much, until one day, we just couldn't keep them anymore... so we dropped them off at the animal shelter, and I still wonder if someone loves them like i did and takes care of them... I almost started crying, because the dog in the story didn't deserve that... It so sad...

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Olivia says:
18 Mar, 2016 10:04 PM

???????? this is so sad! I cried for like and hour because it went from an amazing relationship to a dead dog, "How could you?"

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MiTsuO says:
17 May, 2016 01:51 PM

Animals are beautiful.please, every human, LOVE THEM!!!

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John L. says:
17 Aug, 2017 04:52 PM

That was an amazing story. I felt the pain of being abandoned after the years of love. So sad... I feel so bad now.

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Hayley J says:
27 Dec, 2017 10:24 PM

Omg so sad.... I'm crying

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Renee says:
30 Jul, 2018 11:20 AM

I deeply feel for the dog. this story signifies that every animal has feelings and we shouldnt just throw them away once we are done with them. humans should have a heart nd treat animals better.

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