~If you arent in tears reading this....you SHOULD be!~

mom_2_3

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[font=verdana,geneva]HOW COULD YOU? [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a US $7,000 full page ad
in the paper to present the HOW COULD YOU?
[/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]By Jim Willis, 2001
[/font]

[font=verdana,geneva]How Could You? [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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." [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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've 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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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." [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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?" [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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?" [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]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 directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty. [/font]
[font=verdana,geneva]-----------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]


[font=verdana,geneva]and if you are REAL brave check this out[/font]
http://brightlion.com/InHope/InHope_en.aspx
 
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mom_2_3

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[font=verdana,geneva]MESSAGE FROM AN OLD SHELTER CAT
[/font]

[font=verdana,geneva]I sit alone and so confused behind the metal bars. The loss that I am feeling will forever leave its scars. My family left me here one day a month or two ago. They said, "Donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t worry, Tabby, youâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll find a home, we know." It seems theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d bought a condo that said "No Pets Permitted." I thought theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d never leave me but then they went and did it. My favorite window sill is gone where I used to lay and sun. I cried all night the day they left and remembered years of fun. The people stop and look at me and always say, "Poor Thing". Then they choose a kitten when they could have had a King. As Christmas nears, itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s gotten worse… I remember presents under the tree, lots of catnip and a turkey dinner, loving hands that once stroked me. There was lots and lots of laughter as I played with all my toys. I miss them both so much this day… their love, their kisses and the joys So, please, if you stop by my "home", just give me an extra rub. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve given up being adopted, but I sure could use the love. [/font][font=verdana,geneva]And if you really like me, Please, Please take me with you Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll be real good, I promise, and love you long and true.
[/font]
 

amberthe bobcat

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I just read both of these posts and watched the movie. I am sitting here at work and just can't wait to get home and give all my babies a hug. The movie was hard enough to watch, but when I saw the Lynx, it really hit me hard.
 

lorie d.

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In my local area, there was a little dog who needed to be rehomed because the owner was moving and could no longer keep her. The nursing home I work at is adopting this dog, and and she is going to bring so much joy to so many of our elderly residents.

mom_2_3, I've read that story several times before and each time it makes me sick.
 

snuzy

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Of course I'm crying!


It is so upsetting seeing the people that drop off these animals for such stupid reasons! What if their human children were not allowed? Would they still move. That's one of the reasons I don't work at the shelter--I just volunteer there. And I usually do the early shift before they're open to the public--cleaning, feeding, etc. cause I don't want to see the people dropping off their animals or have to talk to them in a civilized manner.

That reminds me of another story about a shelter worker seeing people all day drop off their pets. Then she saw an old guy in a wheel chair with an old dog, and started warning him they would not be able to find a new home for such an old dog. The guy in the wheel chair was shocked. He would never get rid of his dog. He was getting something for him. At least that one had a happy ending.
 

graciecat

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You know, I wish I could slap the crap out of people who do things like that.
Why is it so hard for some people to understand that when you get a dog, cat or any animal, that you are responsible for the care and well being of that animal for the rest of it's life?

This may sound strange to some people...nobody here of course...but our cats are in our will just as our "skin kids" are.
If something should happen to my Husband and I any cats we have at the time go to my best friend and he will take all of them no matter how many there are.
Our kids will be able to go to his house and see them anytime they want...my Sisters gets the kids, but she's not a cat person so she's not getting near my cats.

We just had to have our Lizzie put to sleep two days ago, the pain is still to much right now but when the time is right it will be an adult cat that we adopt.
Yes, kittens are cute but as we all know it's them that everyone is drawn to they just pass the older cats by.
We won't do that.
 

phenomsmom

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Its really hard to fight back the tears reading that. I can't imagine life without my girls. They greet me the minute they hear my car in the drive. They cuddle me when I am happy or sad or sleepy or grumpy. Their antics will brighten any day. They are not disposable. I wish everyone would realize that.
 
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