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| Name: T-rabbit | Date: Nov 3rd, 2007 3:13 AM |
| Why I have to stay chained up And left alone so long. They seemed so glad to have me When I came here as a pup. There were so many thing's we'd do While I was growing up. They couldn't wait to train me As companion and as friend. They told me they would never fear Being left alone again. The children said they'd feed me, Said they'd brush me every day, They'd play with me and walk me, If only I could stay. But now the family hasn't time, They often say I shed. They won't allow me in the house, Not even to be fed. The children never walk me. They always say, "Not now!" I wish that I could please them. Won't someone tell me how? All I have is love, you see, I wish they would explain, Why they said they wanted me Then left me on a chain. ↑ |
| Name: T-rabbit | Date: Nov 3rd, 2007 3:18 AM |
| 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, age 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, comforte 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 Ihoped 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. By Jim Willis 2001 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 and 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 adoption. ↑ |
| Name: Lauren | Date: Nov 3rd, 2007 1:54 PM |
| yaa the poem i was referring to was your last post "how could you?" It brought tears to my eyes and i read it atleast once a month..i dont know why. Maybe to remind me that our world isnt perfect. heres another one My family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm. They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys. The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets. I used to go for walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say. These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory, because I now live in the shelter - without my family. They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new. The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug. They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand, although I tried and tried. The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime. My life became so lonely, in the back yard, on a chain. They brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye. If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup, then I would be the dog they want when I was all grown up. "You only have one day left." I heard the worker say. Does that mean I have a second chance? .... DO I GO HOME TODAY? ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Sadl y MANY dogs are taken to shelters between the age of 5 months to 1 year. People think they are 'adorable' when they are a small puppy. Then when the dog is No longer small and cute and the big puppy is going through the natural chewing stage, they 'get rid of them', like the dog was a 'disposable object' which had no feelings! Animals do have feelings and are more loyal than most people! "The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." -Andy Rooney ↑ |
| Name: 10calama | Date: Nov 11th, 2007 10:39 PM |
| Ok, these poems are cute, but not truthfully what a dog feels and thinks "if they can think." They don't know they will die, they don't know what death is. They may miss there family for awhile, but no more then when the family goes on vacation. really, when a dog goes to a shelter they have no changed perception, everything to them is the same. They don't know they will die, they don't know they won't see there family again. Really they don't think anything has changed. ↑ |
| Name: T-rabbit | Date: Nov 11th, 2007 11:07 PM |
| Ok just because I debated about PETA did not mean I believe animals have no sense of what is happing or that they do not have the ability to feel emotion. Tell me you have seen a friends dog in the home then get shipped to the shelter. The whole demeanor of the dog changes. They can feel the negative energy in a shelter. Your telling me if you are being fearful of a dog they do not sense that? If you are sad that you are the one putting the needle in their leg they do not sense your sadness for them? They have feeling while they may not know exactly what awaits them it is emotionally stressing on them. You are what I define as a humanitarian thats all great and fine you have not the compassion for animals the rest of us do. I respect your feelings towards humans but I will no longer discuss animals with you. I have a greater love for the four legged balls of fur than you can imagine. Have a great time here with the others. God Bless you . ↑ |
| Name: lindalu | Date: Nov 12th, 2007 3:57 AM |
| Thanks girls! I love the poems. ↑ |
| Name: 10calama | Date: Nov 12th, 2007 8:56 PM |
| Ok that makes some sense only one thing, a great number of vets who put animals to sleep tell me they really don't feel sad anymore because they've done it so many times. Well anyway, it may be emotional on an animal to go to a shelter but I can't think of any other way of dealing with the issue of homeless pets. ↑ |
| Name: LovingLauren | Date: Nov 12th, 2007 11:42 PM |
| What vets are YOU talking to?? I dont know anyone who can get use to killing an animal..humanly or not. Even if it has to be done---ya it's in the job discription, and vets are storng people.....BUT i dont believe any of them would say taking away an animals life gets old. Not any good ones at least. This makes me so sad...my friends dog just died which brings me back to Heidi's death..my sisters dog/my dog. and she got put to sleep. (my sister isnt blood related just a really good friend.) So are you saying that that vet gladley put her to sleep?? Heidi was my best friend, and it hurts my heart to hear such bad things like that. Please keep your rude thoughts to yourself or go away. I dont want ot be harsh, but you have reopened a wond i had just closed. ↑ |
| Name: T-rabbit | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 12:42 AM |
| Hell we have got so many worthless scumbag drug abusing homeless people lets just start "humanely" putting them to sleep. "I can't think of any other way of dealing with the issue of homeless " people. Sounds stupid when it is turned around huh? SPAY AND NEUTER DUMB DUMBS THATS THE ANSWER! Not lets just kill them "humanely". Get a grip. ↑ |
| Name: lindalu | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 1:53 AM |
| LMFAO!!!! Thats precisely my thoughts T-rabbit! ↑ |
| Name: LovingLauren | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 12:43 PM |
| DONT BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!!!! :D my dog(well she WAS my dog) was spayed before they even let her come home.......why do you think the animal population is so huge??? maybe the same reason the human population is :) ↑ |
| Name: jesus saves | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 9:57 PM |
| Why don't people understand thesse issues are irrevelant to the comman cause of peace animals and people can coexist peacefully. We are desingned as top people for vegies by Jesus So We can not kill Yo mama Is ugly She is really below my standards aI would never ever live like one of you hippie smothering republicans I Am Tired of you dope smokers you can kiss my red neck Sensibilities die Bang ↑ |
| Name: LovingLauren | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 10:55 PM |
| Just shut up! you're name is such a contradiction to your thougts maybe you should go read the BIBLE never heard of it? hmm...... maybe you should start by asking your OWN mom about the basic rules of kindness..... ↑ |
