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Memories
Date: 2007-09-26, 4:35PM PDT
I don't remember much from the place that 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 sisters 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 us 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 awhile we are taken out to be held or shown to the
humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw,
they're 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 at 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 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 a 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 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 back yard
breeders, Pet shops and my family not being tested. I know not
what any of that means, just that it hurts me so much 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 breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong
pup I know I am suppose 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 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 to even 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 veterinarian's 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
holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all of her love.
I feel a soft pinch on 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 their 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.
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