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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 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 that I
should be sold as a "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 had brought 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 gentle 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 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
dysphasia,"
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
six 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
breathe. I keep trying my best to be the
strong pup I know I am 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, "Now might be the time."
Several
times I have gone to that veterinarianıs
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 constant now, it
hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try
to get up but can only whine in pain.
I am
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 veterinarianıs 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 lick softly 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 hold 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
a peace descend upon me. I can now 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 goodbye 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.
Copyright 1999 J. Ellis
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