SAD STORY
I
DO REMEMBER THE DAY
I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk
teeth had only just come in, and really should have been
with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the Humans kept
saying that they wanted money and were sick of the
"mess" that me and my sister made. So we were
crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of
us. We huddle together and were scared, still no human
hands came to pet or love us.
SO MANY SIGHTS
and sounds, and smells! We are in
a store where there are may different animals! Some that
squawk! Some that meow! Some that peep! My sister and I
are jammed into a small cage. I hear other puppies here.
I see humans look at me, I like the "little
humans", the kids. They look so sweet, and fun,
like they would play with me!
ALL DAY WE STAY
in the small cage, sometimes mean
people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in
a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans.
Some are gentle, some hurts us, we always hear "Awe
they are so cute! I want one!" But we never get to
go with any.
MY SISTER DIED
last night, when the store was
dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life
leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was
sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount
price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I
think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for
her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning
and dumped.
TODAY, A FAMILY
came and bought me! Oh happy day!
They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me!
They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held
me tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and
dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named
Angel. I love to lick my new humans!
THE FAMILY TAKES
such good care of me, they are
loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right
and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want
only to please these wonderful people! I love the little
girl and enjoy running and playing with her.
TODAY, I WENT
to the veterinarian. It was a
strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots,
but my best friend the little girl held me softly and
said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have
said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked
awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysphasia and something
about my heart?. I heard the vet say something about
backyard breeders and my parents not been tested. I know
not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see
my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still
love them very much!
I'M 6 MONTHS OLD
now. Where most other puppies
are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move.
The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my
beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I
keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know that I
am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart
to see the little girl so sad, and hear the Mom and Dad
talk about "it might now be the time". Several
times I have went to that veterinarian place, and the
news is never good. Always talk about congenital
problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run,
and play and nuzzle with my family.
LAST NIGHT WAS
the worst, pain has been my
constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get
a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I
am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad,
and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good
and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain
would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the
little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but
can only whine in pain.
THE VETERINARIAN'S TABLE
is so cold. I am so
frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry
into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I
manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't
seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind
of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly
and I thank her, for giving me her love. I feel a soft
pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am
beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now
softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike
now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in
a far green place. They tell me there is no pain there,
only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in
the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a
nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons
with them, but it was not meant to be. "You
see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies
do not come from ethical breeders."
THE PAIN ENDS
now, and I know it will be many
years until I see my beloved family again. If only
things could have been different.
This story may be published or
reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical
breeders and those who breed only for money and not for
the betterment of the breed. Copyright 1999 J. Ellis