How Could You? - Page 3

**Lzen** · 02-13-2007, 02:23 PM

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 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 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 dog speak, 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 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 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 & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

**Saulbadguy** · 02-14-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

I'm not a movie buff. I guess that makes me a tard in your book. That's cool.

Naw, the "quotes" should have tipped you off.

Eleazar · 02-14-2007, 11:07 AM

"all day long... my foot up a dawg's azz...."

**BigRedChief** · 02-14-2007, 11:10 AM

Every dog and cat we have brought into our family was from a rescue operation or "the pound" and were spayed or neutered.
A lot of emotion goes into a family pet. And their emotion to you. Like nzoner said. They are there for you no matter what.

**Saulbadguy** · 02-14-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

"all day long... my foot up a dawg's azz...."

HonestChieffan · 02-14-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

OK Mr. Country I've lived way out there before and the only dogs we had issues with were wild ones. Naturally you are dealing with abandoned pits, why doesn't that surprise me?

Any stray dog messing with livestock would be shot. That's what were talking about here. Also living way out in the country many have outside dogs that would not make good pets anyway and need to be put down for various reasons. That being said NONE of what you posted had anything to do with this story at all. Even the most hard core here like MO would most likely tell you if he liked a dog enough to make it a house dog he would at least make some effort to try and find it a new home. A good dog is different than any other animal. It will put it's life on the line for you and love you like no other animal in the world. For that reason alone IMO a good dog has earned the right to be treated a little different than all the rest of the animals. In this case it was even worse. He took his kids dog they loved and didn't take any time to find it a good home. It's not hard at all. I could take any decent dog on a street corner here and put up a sign that says free to a good loving home and have the animal placed within and hour then let the kids see it went to a good place. I guess the kids freaking doesn't mean anything to you either. Frankly dealing with them and their legitimate beef is going to be 10x more difficult than it would have been to just place the dog.

We deal with abandoned dogs all the time...pits are the most recent issue cause the owners who are such great dog lovers wont take them to be neutered under the new laws in KC. So there humanitarians turn the damn things loose and drive off...no doubt heartbroken over their pets fate.

We see beagles...one of the worst as a wild dog, collies...they dont last to long, have seen even a couple pretty Irish setters among every cross bred thing you can imagine.

You make an interesting comment...outside dogs dont make good pets? Man, I love that...somehow an outside dog is not a good pet. I have 2 great dogs that have never and will never be in the house. I suppose they are bad dogs and poor pets?

The real point of that "story" aside from trying to drag out some deep feelings of animal love, really is that People should have more feelings for people. The world would be a better place if people treated people as good as they treat a dog. The kids learned that family and family needs come first over any needs man placed on that dog. Sure they would be upset, we are all upset when something like this needs to be done.

I love these people who complain about cost of freaking health care while they drag another smoke out and drive the damn dog to the vet.

Dogs are great. But a dog at the end of the day is a dog.

BIG_DADDY · 02-14-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuntherFan

I love these people who complain about cost of freaking health care while they drag another smoke out and drive the damn dog to the vet.

Dogs are great. But a dog at the end of the day is a dog.

Health care is a whole different issue. For the record I don't treat dogs like people. I put my English Bully down when she had cancer as an example. I'm obviously not doing that with my family.

BIG_DADDY · 02-14-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuntherFan

We deal with abandoned dogs all the time...pits are the most recent issue cause the owners who are such great dog lovers wont take them to be neutered under the new laws in KC. So there humanitarians turn the damn things loose and drive off...no doubt heartbroken over their pets fate.
.

First of all the laws just got passed and secondly I don't think the owners of any specific breed, pits included are immune from being shitty owners Your proving my point that a lot of people are just POS in general, thanks. On that note like I said I lived in the country and people abandoning their dogs way out in the country was never a major issue. MOF this is the first time I have heard of this being a major problem from anyone living out in the country other than an occasional dog which makes me wonder about your honesty once again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuntherFan

You make an interesting comment...outside dogs dont make good pets? Man, I love that...somehow an outside dog is not a good pet. I have 2 great dogs that have never and will never be in the house. I suppose they are bad dogs and poor pets?

I never said they are bad pets, you're just making shit up now. I said they are often times much harder to find homes for as many don't convert over to a house dog as well. I could understand why you might need to put one of those down when you sell the farm and buy that new condo over on polk street.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuntherFan

The real point of that "story" aside from trying to drag out some deep feelings of animal love, really is that People should have more feelings for people. The world would be a better place if people treated people as good as they treat a dog. The kids learned that family and family needs come first over any needs man placed on that dog. Sure they would be upset, we are all upset when something like this needs to be done.

.

Here you go down another road that doesn't address anything I said and is a convenient weak ass attempt at a distraction. Where did I say that the needs of the dog came over came those of the family? What I said is it would take only the slightest amount of effort to place the dog in another home. I could do it withing an hour. If you think taking the family dog your kids were raised with and taking it to slaughtered teaches your kids a lesson your right. It teaches them what they should do with you once you become an inconveniece.

As far as people go in spite of what you might say next I'll bet you don't have one single person in your life that's as loyal, brave and willing to put their life on the line for you like as my dog is for me. I'll just leave it at that.

**Dartgod** · 02-14-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuntherFan

Wait a minute. HonestChieffan is really Phoney Gonzales? THAT explains a lot.

BIG_DADDY · 02-14-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Wait a minute. HonestChieffan is really Phoney Gonzales? THAT explains a lot.

Especially the Honest part. Talk about deep under cover. He has had so many names now I can't even keep track of them all. What better name for a deceptive liar?

jidar · 02-14-2007, 01:25 PM

This is why I make them into steaks before they're old enough to be miserable.
I don't eat them though, I sell them to koreans, I'm not some kind of freak.

BIG_DADDY · 02-14-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

This is why I make them into steaks before they're old enough to be miserable.
I don't eat them though, I sell them to koreans, I'm not some kind of freak.

The Chinese are notorious for that shit out here.

The Rick · 02-14-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

"I grab a dog...and I CHOKE him! I kick the shit out of him!"

"That's my pleaaaaaaaaaaasure!"

NewChief · 02-14-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

Why is it that some people have more of an affinity towards animals than they do with people? I'd like to ask a shrink about why some people feel that way.

Because animals are "innocent."

seclark · 02-14-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Because animals are "innocent."

rep!
sin,
bongo the cheetah

CoMoChief · 02-14-2007, 01:43 PM

I had to put my dog to sleep just a few months ago. Had him since I was in first grade. Welp my day is ruined, thanks man.

02-13-2007, 02:23 PM
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-529308	How Could You? 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 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 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 dog speak, 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 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 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 & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Posts: 42,458

02-14-2007, 11:07 AM	#32
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	"all day long... my foot up a dawg's azz...."
Posts: 80,659

02-14-2007, 11:10 AM	#33
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-601038 VARSITY	Every dog and cat we have brought into our family was from a rescue operation or "the pound" and were spayed or neutered. A lot of emotion goes into a family pet. And their emotion to you. Like nzoner said. They are there for you no matter what. __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,266

02-14-2007, 01:25 PM	#40
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	This is why I make them into steaks before they're old enough to be miserable. I don't eat them though, I sell them to koreans, I'm not some kind of freak.
Posts: 5,502

02-14-2007, 01:43 PM	#45
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7682254	I had to put my dog to sleep just a few months ago. Had him since I was in first grade. Welp my day is ruined, thanks man.
Posts: 39,244