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 housetraining 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, 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, especially 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. 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 or cat, 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 goodbye 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, 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. 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 meant for 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.

3/1/2007 7:16:35 PM

'Yo homes to Bel Air'

3/1/2007 7:18:53 PM

'Yo homes, to paragraphs.'

[Edited on March 1, 2007 at 7:20 PM. Reason : fda]

3/1/2007 7:20:01 PM

Yeah, that needs paragraphs bad. So many words.

3/1/2007 7:24:47 PM

Someone tell this cunt that no one will read a huge, rambling block of text

3/1/2007 7:26:09 PM

Quote :

"Someone tell this cunt that no one will read a huge, rambling block of text "

you could:

A) tell her yourself
B) the two people that posted before you already mentioned it.
C) not call random women on the internet 'cunts' because you feel more like a man when you are hiding behind your computer monitor.

3/1/2007 7:44:37 PM

why is this in TSB?

3/1/2007 8:09:49 PM

thanks you nice boys have renewed my faith in the typical dickhead quality of most NCSU men (I mean boys)

3/1/2007 8:13:43 PM

Someone make this for plants, too.

3/1/2007 8:16:37 PM

I'm afraid you are confusing "NCSU boys" with "internet people."

3/1/2007 8:17:55 PM

sorry i'll broaden the spectrum...MOST MALES

3/1/2007 8:19:10 PM

Mmm, see, I still don't think that's entirely accurate. Go to any message board on the whole of the internet and you'll probably find it full of assholes. Some others, sure, but mostly assholes. Go that route and we'll all agree with you. Stick with the whole "men are pigs" angle, and I'm gonna have to run with skokiaan on this one.

For the record, I didn't read your entire first post, but I as resolutely a lover of dogs as anyone on here and from what I gleaned I agree with its sentiment.

3/1/2007 8:23:24 PM

Yeah, working at a vet clinic I see alot of people who say "I try to be responsible, but..."

3/1/2007 8:30:05 PM

3/1/2007 8:30:26 PM

Quote :

"thanks you nice boys have renewed my faith in the typical dickhead quality of most NCSU men (I mean boys) "

i was just pointing out that paragraphs would make things easier to read...and at the same time i was pointing out that there is no reason for someone to be calling you a cunt, just because you are a woman...but i guess that would put me in the 'boys' classification

3/1/2007 8:36:47 PM

good read. i think i'll go spoil my dog some now.

and how the fuck can you people get so off point in less than 10 mins?

(SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!!)

[Edited on March 1, 2007 at 8:47 PM. Reason : and]

3/1/2007 8:44:36 PM

COMEFORT

3/1/2007 10:17:09 PM

Whoops, how did I get in The Lounge?

3/1/2007 10:25:30 PM

im not reading this shit cunt

3/1/2007 10:30:22 PM

A DOG IS NOT A PERSON

3/1/2007 10:42:22 PM

Dear JCCAMPBE:

im all for protecting the animals, and supporting conservation organizations, but i just cant read that block of text.

if you want to work in favor of animals, you should learn to choose your battles more carefully (ie dont spam forums with rants), and learn to craft a well written persuasive argument.

certainly the english department at state offers classes in this area. pick one up.

otherwise, you only open yourself up to ridicule, where youropponents have a free run to make you look silly, and teh sidleline observers who hadnt really considered the issue beforehand will be influenced more strongly by your opponents.

it is possible to do damage to your cause when you only intended to do good.

3/2/2007 12:13:57 AM

so what you are saying is, people on this board are too stupid to argue other peoples ideas and points of view so they have to attack the person for their writing and posting skillz? hmmm...interesting point you bring.

3/2/2007 12:57:21 AM

feel defensive, much?

3/2/2007 1:28:36 AM

its customary to ridicule anyone who posts a chain letter in the soap box

3/2/2007 3:45:22 AM

I didn't write it..just thought it was pertinent especially after I've noticed at least 10 new dogs that need new homes a day on craigslist in the Raleigh area.

I do have to say that that audio bit was pretty hysterical though.

OH and btw i'm glad you guys are having fun with all the criticism and insults...it doesn't really affect me at all, so if it gets you off, then go ahead and keep on doing it. I just hope you don't treat people like that in person.

3/2/2007 6:58:37 AM

3/2/2007 8:31:10 AM

tldr

3/2/2007 10:29:47 AM

Quote :

"feel defensive, much?"

defensive? I'm not defending anything...i'm just pointing out a 'Inconvienent Truth' about the average wolfwebber in soapbox.

3/2/2007 10:44:33 AM

jccampbe:

Quote :

"Major : COmmunication "

But for what its worth:
1) I think man definitely got the better end of the dog - man agreement
2) Articles like this, while I agree with their point, continue the habit of anthropomorphizing animals that causes owners to screw up so badly when training them.

[Edited on March 2, 2007 at 10:52 AM. Reason : .]

3/2/2007 10:48:47 AM

I'm not a dickhead

3/2/2007 10:44:32 PM