I got this from another homesteader list. If it saves even a few animals it's worth the read.> "HOW COULD YOU?"

> A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan took out a $7000 > full > page ad in the paper to present the following essay > to > the people of his community: > > 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 > 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, 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'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. > > 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 tomeet 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 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 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. > --------------------------- > 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 > & 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 spay & neuter of ALL pets

-- Janice (delila48@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

what G.R. paper was that in???The Press??? didnt see it in there

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 14, 2002.

I don't know Stan, I got it from the 'homestead cottage' yahoo group. I just wish it had printed out the way I read it, don't know too much about computers.:( I cut & pasted, but it came out with all those >>. I know it's a sensitive subject, but felt if I put it as OT, then it was up to each person as to their choice of reading it. My vet has a similar poster in his office. I volunteer at the local shelter, we get so many nice animals that are given up and just hoped maybe this would get some folks interested in adopting a shelter animal. Have a good weekend, Janice

-- Janice (delila48@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

What's OT? (Haven't read article.)

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), April 14, 2002.

I read it a bit, but, since I don't want to cry, I kinda skipped through it. We got our Goldie from a shelter six years ago. He was underweight, and had been abused. Poor doggie was so scared of everything. But, with kindness, love and good food, he developed into a wonderful pal. He will never be a watch dog since he escorts people to my door, but he is also a gentle dog. He even will share his food and dog house with the outside cats. Goldie is living proof that there are great pets waiting for homes in shelters. Next year, we plan on adopting a little brother or sister for him.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

I hope all the puppy farms and those that think they can make a few bucks from having a litter change their mind when they read this, although I doubt they will.

It made me cry.

-- Carol K (ck7951@bluefrognet.net), April 14, 2002.

OT is off topic, I figured since it's a touchy subject for some, I should put that out there. I didn't want to offend anyone, especially those who might think this isn't a 'homesteader' issue. Arnie, I know what you mean, I couldn't read it all the way through the first time, started crying. Thanks to those who have adopted from shelters. Our family is the proud owners of some fine,loyal shelter critters; both cats & dogs. There's even ferrets,rabbits & goats 'turned in', so if you are looking for just about any pet, ask at the shelters, if they don't have it they maintain a database & can probably find it within driving distance.

-- Janice (delila48@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

I agree, that our animal shelters have a tough job to do, but let me share another side of this issue. We have tried to adopt an animal from a shelter and were turned down. Their reason for denying us the opportunity to save an animal from euthanasia was the fact that we did not have a fenced in yard. Mind you, we lived out in the country, at the end of a dirt road and had over 500 acres for an adopted pet to enjoy. Even though this disturbed my husband and myself and our daughter cried for days after picking out her dog and then being denied, bless her heart, she still raises money and donates it and a big share of her allowance to animal shelters. That dog that my daughter picked out probably didn't have another chance, and for that I feel terrible. We have since adopted another dog, rescued her from a private home that couldn't keep her anymore, she is adored by four kids, she is their guardian, their playmate and a big part of our family.

-- (someone@somewhere.com), April 14, 2002.

I too adopted my first dog from the local shelter. She was my best friend for all of the 11 years she was by my side. Goes to prove that there are some wonderful dogs out there just waiting for their chance to be loved like they should. I agree that there are many good shelters and humane societies that actually make an effort to place the dogs in loving homes. Unfortunately, I know one in particular that "mistakenly" put a dog down that had only been there for 24 hours while the owners were out of town. I certainly hope these kind of places are VERY few.

-- c.d. (his4ever@mac.com), April 15, 2002.

the issue we have with adopting animals from the shelters is the cost involved. we don't have lots of cash to spend but we love animals and have plenty of room for them to run and play and plenty of food for them. but it seems that the shelters we've dealt with would rather kill the animal rather than let someone take it that don't have the adoption fee or the fenced yard or you name it. it's probably a good thing for us I guess - we would have a zoo here if they were all free most likely. thanks for listening.

-- animal_lover (animal_lover@tailwagger.com), April 15, 2002.

To those of you who have had a bad time at shelters yet offer safe and loving homes...I am sorry for all the animals you could have saved.

Please keep in mind that there are tons of Rescue groups everywhere. Many times these rescue groups have good working repore with the shelters and they are allowed to remove the animals before they are killed.

Those in the Rescue end would be overjoyed to hear from you. Would/could you be foster homes? Could you take overflows during peak seasons (kitten)? Could you open up your homes and hearts for emeregency rescues..those who need a place NOW because a raid has taken place on a puppy mill/or a Tornado has hit Oklahoma?

If you can open you home for week, a month, or whenever...the rescue folks can get the animal to you...

I have been blessed to have those from Latin America, the Caribbean, California pass through my doors...just a stop for some good food, shelter, and lots of love to help make up for the crimes of my species.

Think about it...you might not be able to adopt from the shelter, but you can help the rescuer who does...

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), April 16, 2002.