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 gone 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 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 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 from 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.
(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. copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
Go on to
Follow-up to Roadkill Avoidance Article
Return to 13 October 1999 Issue
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