PLEASE READ! Help increase animal adoptions by distributing/publishing/broadcasting How Could You?

[Guest guest]

Oh. My. God. PLEASE cross post this to EVERYONE, rescues, friends, family, etc. I have never read a more poignant writing in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW COULD YOU?Copyright Jim Willis 2001[From his book Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature]http://www.crean. com/jimwillistiergartenjim@

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 housetraining 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, especially 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 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. 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 meant for 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."

_______

 

A Note from the Author:Next month will mark the seventh anniversary since I wrote and first published "How Could You?" Since then it has been published thousands of times in over 45 foreign languages, most recently in Chinese, and as a separate, illustrated book in Japanese. The book that contains it has been translated and published in several countries and has achieved best-seller status, and I created a fundraising vehicle with publishers for all animal efforts that sell the book. The old Basset Hound girl I rescued on her last day at a kill shelter and named "Holly Golightly" deserves the credit and you can read a tribute to her at:http://cats. about.com/ library/weekly/ aa021903a. htmI have always granted publication rights for "HCY?" gratis for all non-profit uses. One of the uses I have appreciated most is when newspapers publish "HCY?" illustrated with photos of adoptable animals taken at local shelters, often with sidebar articles listing pet resources in the community such as low-cost spay/neuter clinics. Whenever it has been published, local shelter staffs tell me that they see an increase in traffic and a spike in animal adoptions. Some

people have written to me and said reading "HCY?" made them reconsider giving up their pet to a shelter and in these troubling economic times, with shelters experiencing a huge increase in the numbers of owner-relinquished pets, that is critically important.This is the time of the year when backyard breeders and puppy/kittenmills are getting their overpriced, unhealthy wares ready for the Christmas market, while the breeder animals suffer in silence. We each must do our part to educate consumers that there are other better sources for healthy animals, including shelters and breed rescues. (To that end, I also grant all non-profit uses of "A Puppy for Christmas," from my next book; see:http://www.wtv- zone.com/ nywoman/PAGES/ PAGE23.html )Millions of healthy, adoptable, wonderful animals die each year in American and Canadian shelters. Please join the grassroots effort that Holly's story became, distribute "HCY?" to your address books and e-lists, ask your local radio stations to broadcast it along with adoption information, and ask your local newspapers to publish it.Together, we can make a difference for those who cannot speak for themselves. I wish all of you and your pets a memorable Thanksgiving holiday.~ Jim Willis

 

 

About the Author:

On the way to becoming a veterinarian, Jim Willis was sidetracked by the allure of printer's ink. He's a former newspaper reporter and columnist for Thomson Ltd., magazine editor (POLO), has written for magazines including Town & Country, EQUUS and The Professional Horseman, worked for The European Stars & Stripes, headed the English department of a German publisher for a decade, and wrote for and art directed Made in Germany magazine.

His animal-related books have been published in several countries, including the best-selling Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature and he is one of the most published animal advocates in the world. His essay about an unwanted dog, "How Could You?" has been published in over 45 foreign languages and made news when it was broadcast by radio stations and drivers pulled off the road in tears. His writings help fund his and other animal-rescue efforts, and he is currently working on another book. In 2008, he was named the USA-East Ambassador for World Animal Day, observed every October 4th:http://www.worldani malday.org. uk/Ambassadors/ Webpages/ USAeast.asp

[To read and download "How Could You?" in Word, see his website:

http://www.crean. com/jimwillis ]

**The perfect holiday gift book Pieces of My Heart now on sale at Amazon.com!* *Sales benefit animal-rescue efforts!

-- Jim' book "PIECES OF MY HEART - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature" benefits animal rescue efforts. For samples, info on fundraising and to download "HOW COULD YOU?" in Word: http://www.crean. com/jimwillis, or click here to order through Amazon.com: http://tinyurl. com/6yn26t