Debate "How Could You" - Touching story to raise awareness, or PETA-esque garbage?

WARNING: If you are upset easily by animals being put down then do not continue any further.
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How Could You?
by: Jim Willis
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 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.

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 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 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 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.

By Jim Willis
2001.

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So - good story with a point, or PETA-esque propaganda?

Personally, I have mixed feelings. I cried when I read it, but sometimes people don't have a choice in the matter.

 

Meh, it didn't do much for me. We have no idea what dogs are thinking or even if they're the loyal servants we like to think of them as, so it's hard for me to accept this as anything from propaganda on the part of the author. I used to be very indignant and ashamed of how America and the world treats animals, but when I realized that humans don't treat other humans any better, I sort of lightened up about the subject. Yeah, animal shelters stink and pets shouldn't be put down, but until we think of a solution to fix the tons of problems that stopping the process would bring along, we really don't have a choice.

Now, I had a solution that I had hoped would go through the California government but unfortunately it looked like it died. The idea was that every single dog and cat, from the moment they set paw in a shelter or pound, would be fixed. It wouldn't solve the problem completely but it'd at least make less lives that we'll eventually have to end. Problem is, that'd cost quite a bit to do initially and as we all know, California is a bit tight on cash these days.

 

Propaganda. Every word tweaked to elicit an emotional response. What's the message? Don't put your dog in a shelter to be euthanized? How many people do that anyway?

If anything it should be: spay or neuter the dog (unless you have a purebred and are darn sure you can control its breeding)

 

I would never ever put a pet of mine into a shelter. Me and my family had a dog and against all of my pleas we had to give him away. We had to wait almost a month before we found a good home and then we checked the place out. It was a horse farm with 2 other dogs of the same breed, a pond and a field and lots of kids.

I cried when we left him but at least I know he was in a happy place with people who would love him. I had just heard to many stories like that one to just put him in a cage.

 

Despite having 2 dogs & a cat, i spent no emotion for this... ... this... peice of crap, basically, Blatent human interpretation with added emotion for "Impact"... particulary the bit

just too blatently cheezy.

However dont get me wrong... i believe it is rather sad pettily shifting the responsibility to someone else, ignoring the fact to that there going to be "put to sleep", but this way of showing the message... feh!

 

I am part of PeTA. I find that the story is sickening. I would never take one of my dogs to a shelter unless it was one that doesnt kill dogs if no one will take them. My dogs are from a shelter- actually both of them are purebred and are very sweet.

~Mags

 

By the way, Nephilim, where did you find this story? Is it actually from PETA?

 

No. I forgot to change the thread title, but you'll note I say "PETA-esque". I say PETA-esque because they too use propaganda garbage quite a bit, even if it's a bold-faced lie.

 

Using an unrelated source/extract to slanderise sed comitee/organisation... Uh hunh *Raises eyebrow*

 

Oh come now, Angel from Hell. PETA has lost so much credibility over the last few years with their horrendous ads and ridiculous quotes that Nephilim doesn't need to slander them - They do it plenty to themselves.

 

Wether they have or not is inconsequential, just that using a non-PETA source to prove a point against PETA is somewhat pointless.

Tis like me saying that Burger king's food is terrible by using a food sample from McDonalds :/

 

I -meant- to make the title "PETA-esque" instead of "PETA".

Besides... how can you consider this anything but propaganda garbage?

 

Now was that so hard?

I did read your correction about the title, but it wasnt what i was occupied about... keep in mind not everyone is aware of such organisations (I have RSPCA over here to worry about) so when someone claims something is similar to something else, questions will arise... as you did with a simple example, point proven, nothing more from me about it. Thanks for your time.

On a separate note... i found that site very amusing, but thats just me.