Our Beagle World Forums banner
1 - 10 of 10 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
1,053 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
This was posted by Beagle Bay co-manager - she found it on Craigslist - and thought it worth sharing. If you don't cry, you're a stronger person than I am!

January 6
Dear Dog,
I saw you today for the first time, just a couple houses from my own. The school bus stopped to let out your kids, and your mom opened the front door to let you run out and greet them. You are a wiggly, bouncy and happy little puppy with a full belly and a shiny coat. Your kids grabbed you up, hugged you, held you and toted you inside. Your tail was wagging the entire time. I thought to my self, how sweet, what a way to end a long hard day. I spoke to your mom this evening and she said that they got you from the Animal Shelter, and the kids named you Lucky.

March 10
Dear Lucky,
I saw you today as I always do on my way home from work. You were already outside to greet the kids today, which seemed a little odd. The little girl got off the bus and shooed you away; she appeared to not want you jumping on her. The boy got off the bus and gave you a quick playful pat on the head, then smelled his hand and brushed you aside. You looked confused and sad, as you went to lie by the porch. You curled up in a tight ball on the cold ground and let out a huge sigh. My heart felt heavy that day.

March 21
Dear Lucky,
I saw you today. I was headed home, and the kids got off the bus, walked to the house, and you ran out as far as you could on your heavy chain to let them know you were there. The little girl ignored you, the little boy told you to be quiet, when you barked for his attention. My neighbor commented that they needed to do something with your barking because you keep them up at night. You had a bucket of water and a bowl of food, a relatively nice doghouse, but your eyes were sad and empty. I shook my head and let out a huge sigh.

April 30
Dear Lucky,
I worried for you today. You look thin, your chain heavy on your neck, your coat is dirty and falling out, you don't get up to do much anymore. Your bucket is turned over, and I have not seen your food bowl for a few days now. I spoke to the neighbor and asked about you. He said you still bark at night and he saw the man of the house throw something at you the other day as he scolded you. I shook my head in despair as I went back into my house.

June 4
Dear Lucky,
My heart sank today. I was headed home, and you weren't in your yard. A large part of me hoped you got away, another large part of me was frightened at all the other possibilities. I asked my neighbor about you, and he said your family went on vacation and sent you back to the Animal Shelter. I shook my head and cried for you as I went into my house.

June 5
Dear Dog,
I went to the shelter today. I found you huddled in the back of a cage that had a bucket, a bowl of food, and a blanket for you to lie on. You looked up at me as if you knew me, and my heart broke as I read your card. They did not even care enough to give them your name, and the card simply said, male, neutered, Poodle. Owners did not want. I cried when a gentleman from the kennel said, That's a sad one there. He came from here, you know, last Christmas. Guess they just got tired of him. He's too frightened, no one will adopt him. I went to the counter and told them I would be back tomorrow and please don't do anything just yet. They all kind of nodded like they heard that one before.

June 6
Dear Dog,
I brought you home today. You were scared and untrusting, but a small part of you somewhere allowed you to wag the tip of your tail when I told you that you were a good boy and that I loved you. I gave you a new name, Happy, because you aren't and I hope that someday you will be. You had an accident on the floor, and when I came back to clean it up with paper towel you slunk down and whimpered as if the hand was coming for you. I tried to choke back the tears when I thought of what you must have gone through in the past six months. I reached out and patted you and your eyes closed and your body went limp at such a gentle gesture. We're going to be all right, I told you. I showed you your food, and you ate voraciously, and you marveled at the treats and toys I got for you.

December 25
Dear Happy,
Good morning my best friend! You woke me, as always, popping out from under the covers on your side of the bed, licking my face to tell me it was time for our walk. We went through the living room and you sniffed what Santa left for us. I hugged you and said, Last year you were a Christmas gift, now this year, these are all yours! Your coat is shiny, your belly always full, and even though we found out at your first vet visit you had heart worms, you are healthy now. As we went out for our walk, we saw your old family in the front yard. They look at you each time as if they recognize you in a way, but you don't give them a second glance.

--- Then I believe both our hearts stopped as we saw the children emerge from the yard holding a small playful puppy. Isn't she just precious? We got her from the animal shelter. Hope this one works out, the other dog we got from there was so much trouble. I sighed and refrained from pointing out that you were not the trouble. You looked up at me as if to say, Thank you, mom. I kneeled down and whispered in your sweet ear, No, it is I who thank you.

DOGS ARE LIKE CHILDREN; THEY ACT LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO RAISE THEM
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,053 Posts
Discussion Starter · #7 ·
This made me think of my beautiful Maxie - he was owned by the slum lord who lived next door to me in Sacramento in the late 80's. Max was used as a 'guard dog' in vacant houses that the jerk would buy and fix up as rentals. My daughter worked for the man a big - doing painting, etc., and she (who had always been frightened by big dogs), told me about this beautiful big black dog that was in the house they were painting. After they finished that house, Maxie was used to guard another empty house - he was often left for 4-5 days with nothing to eat and just the toilet to drink from. Mind you, I didn't KNOW all this at the time. Max escaped one day - and was picked up by the local animal control and taken to the shelter. The neighbor got him and tied him in the front yard of the house next door - where he thought it was FUNNY to instigate fights between Max and his part wolf dog who had been TRAINED WITH A CATTLE PROD. Max was so thin. My daughter and her husband had just moved out of my house, and I'd been staying with my mom so I suggested that he put Max in my back yard to eliminate fights and someone getting hurt. Before you could say Maxie Waxie Pretty Boy, Max was at my vet, getting up to date on his shots, being neutered and licensed in my name. Yes, I dognapped him. He was a HUGE chow cross - coal black, everyone always said what a pretty Chow, unless you knew the Chow breed - Max didn't have the round ears or smushed face of a purebred chow - and he was the size of a collie or German Shepherd. He had the very long hair of a Collie - and through 18 of hair you could feel every bone in his body. Max was the kindest, most gentle, compassionate dog I've ever known, and he crossed the rainbow bridge much too young. He will always be missed. I took him out of pity, but kept him out of love.
 

Attachments

· Registered
Joined
·
414 Posts
very cool story!

i woke up this morning thinking about this thread. every morning sophie wakes me up with snuggles and kisses. even when i'm tired and don't want to get up and take her out, i can't imagine being annoyed with her. i can understand how people begin to slide down that slippery slope to become like the ones in the o/p's story. but with all my heart i hope i never become one, even for a moment.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,016 Posts
I know. I didn't cry, but I do feel bad whenever my family gets mad at Menolly for misbehaving- and I mean REALLY mad. Many times my mom has asked 'do you want to give her back'? to which I emhatically answer 'no way'. She may have come from a breeder, but she's the most important one in my life.
 
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top