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How Could You
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 murdered pillows I became your best friend.Whenever I was bad you would shake your finger and say "How Could You",but then you would relax and roll me over for a belly rub
My housebraking took a little longer than expected because you were terribly busy but we worked together.I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams and I believed that life couldnt 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 you " 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 house,tried to show her affection and obeyed her.I was happy because you were happy. |
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| 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. |
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| As they began to grow I became their friend.They clung to my fur and puled 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,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. |
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| There had been a time when others asked if you had a dog that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories,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. |
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| Now you have a new career opportunity in another town, you will all be moving to another house that doesnt allow petsYou have made the right decision for your family but there was a time when I was your only family. |
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| I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the dogs home.It smelled of dogs and cats of fear and hopelesness |
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| 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 |
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| You had to prise your sons fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "no daddy,dont let them take my dog"and I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about loyalty and frienship,about love and responsibility and about respect for all life. |
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| 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 had 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 said " How Could You". |
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| They are as attentive to us here in the kennels 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 be at least someone who cared,anyone who might give me another chance.When I realised I couldnt compete with the frolicking puppies, oblivious to their own fate,I retreated to a far corner and waited. |
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| I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I dutifully padded along the aisle after her to a seperate room.A blissfully quiet room,she placed me on the table and rubbed my ears and told me not to worry.My head 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. |
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| The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her as she gently puts a torniquet round my foreleg,she brushes a tear from her cheek.I licked her hand the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago,Sudenly I feel a sting and a cool sensation courses through my body,I lay down sleepily look into her eyes and murmur "How Could You". |
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| Perhaps because she undrstands my dogspeak she said I am so sorry,she hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place where I wouldnt be ignored or abused or abandoned or have to fend for myself ,a place of love and light,so very diferent 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. |
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Jim Willis |
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| This short story is dedicated to the thousands of dogs and cats that die unnecessarily each year |
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