I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped
and dark and we were never played with by the humans. I remember
Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She
had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember
many of them dying, and I missed them so.
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 I 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 huddled 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 many 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 hurt us.
We always hear "Aw 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 I
should be sold at "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 bought a dish and food and
the little girl held me so 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 I 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
so 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 dysplasia, and something about
my heart...I heard the vet say something about backyard breeders
and my parents not being 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 am 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 breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup
I know I'm supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart
to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk
about, "it might now be the time."
Several
times I have went to that veterinarian's 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 muzzle 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 was 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 veterinarians
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 softly lick 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 all her love. I feel a soft pinch
in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to
feel peace descend upon me. I softly lick her hand. My vision
is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers
and sisters, in a far off 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.
Author Unknown
|