|
|
Ratty Messages
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Photos/Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent 'Just Chat'
|
|
|
|
|
If you need help, or have questions, comments or suggestions, please post in the Rat-Terrier.com Info and Help forum.
General Moderators:
Lance
Morgan
Tracey
Training Moderator:
Nora
|
|
You're Not Alone
|
|
|
 |
Membership: |
 |
Latest:
Susieq65610 |
 |
New Today:
3 |
 |
New Yesterday:
1 |
 |
Overall:
2214 |
 |
People Online: |
 |
Visitors:
40 |
 |
Members:
8 |
 |
Total:
48 |
Online Now:
01: Brandy
02: michelle
03: libertynjusticemom
04: gwacie
05: amr23
06: Pam&Maggie
07: Ollie's Mom
08: Lacey55746
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rat-Terrier.com
|
|
|
| Author |
Messages |
|
JustAmy
Rat Royalty
 |
| 05/04/2007 10:46 AM |
|
A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page ad in
the paper to present the following essay to the people of his community.
HOW COULD YOU? By Jim Willis, 2001 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 housebreaking 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 and 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 and their
touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended
them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to
their worries and secret dreams, and 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, 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 good-bye 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 and 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. And 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 directed at her.
It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in
order to prevent unwanted animals.
Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it
could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.
Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY. |
|
My home is not complete without my Rattie tat tat feet...
www.myspace.com/justamyy79
|
|
|
Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
|
| 05/04/2007 11:05 AM |
|
I've read this before and yes, it made get tears again.
|
|
Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org |
|
|
Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
|
| 05/04/2007 11:18 AM |
|
| yes.....tears as unwilling as i am to admit. no way i could do that to the sweet puppies that chose me to love for life. i need to get off this thread before i dehydrate myself |
|
|
|
|
DaisysMom
Moderator
|
| 05/04/2007 11:19 AM |
|
I, too, have seen it before. It never fails to make my eyes well up  |
|
Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
|
|
|
ladyfern
Bratty Ratty
|
| 05/04/2007 11:41 AM |
|
What a beautiful heart wrenching and oh so sad story. I too have seen this before but I don't think it changes anything if more people don't read it. Our local newspaper has a website and submitting Letters to the Editor is free. I bet it is wherever you are at too! What's say we all take a minute to copy and paste this to our newspaper offices? Anyone with me? Smiles
May help and certainly can't hurt! |
|
ladyfern & shiloh
If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog!
|
|
|
mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
|
| 05/04/2007 11:45 AM |
|
OH My! richie had me read this just now while I'm at work. BIG MISTAKE lol i wasn't bawling but it definently brought tears to my eyes. i had to pray that no one walked by my desk asking me what's wrong! I'm going to print this out and have my boss put it up on our bulletin board.  |
|
|
|
|
Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
|
| 05/04/2007 11:57 AM |
|
| oy vey........ |
|
|
|
|
PamWh
Attention Starved
|
| 05/04/2007 12:00 PM |
|
Posted By Alpha Rattie on 05/04/2007 11:57 AM
oy vey........
See what you started?  |
|
PamWh
aka Bob's Mom
If your rattie ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! |
|
|
Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
|
| 05/04/2007 12:03 PM |
|
| i not allowed to cry..... im considered the STRONG one in my familly and i have to hold everyone else up |
|
|
|
|
bkfrazer
Rat Royalty
|
| 05/04/2007 12:07 PM |
|
| That brought tears to my eyes. |
|
Brandi-Cody's Mom
http://www.myspace.com/bkayfrazer |
|
|
swatson6
Attention Starved
|
| 05/04/2007 12:12 PM |
|
 |
|
Sarah
|
|
|
mario07
Bratty Ratty
|
| 05/04/2007 1:05 PM |
|
| Okay, now I have make up running down my face and my son thinks I got hurt. Wow... that was gut wrenching. |
|
~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
|
|
|
Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
|
| 05/04/2007 1:07 PM |
|
| yeah the truth hurts........... bet we all started looking for our pups while reading that thinking " never will i do that" |
|
|
|
|
Caesar & Julia's mom
Pack Leader
|
| 05/04/2007 1:21 PM |
|
| Omg, I'm still crying. I have never seen this before...thank god no one else was around when I read this. It also brought up sad memeories of when we had to put our Reba down 2 years for health reasons. I know the situation wasn't the same as in this story but I remember being with her while they gave her the shot like it was yesterday. Comforting her and holding her until she was in doggie heaven. I miss you Reba!! |
|
Diane~ loved by Caesar and Julia
"Don't count the days, make the days count..."
|
|
|
Sassy'sMama
Firehouse Big Dog
|
| 05/04/2007 1:34 PM |
|
This made me cry too...
I had to go out and mow the front yard to think about something else.. |
|
~~Jan~~
Mama to Sassy
Religion is for people afraid of going to hell,
Spirituality is for people who have already been there. |
|
|
michelle
Bratty Ratty
|
| 05/06/2007 4:56 PM |
|
| What a story! |
|
michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
|
|
|
Krystian
Rattie
|
| 05/08/2007 6:41 PM |
|
wow...
I am at work and I had to fight to keep the tears back.
Before I found my girl, I was at the pound and I could see this story in each one of those dogs eyes.
|
|
-----------------
Harley Hardcore's Daddy |
|
|
BonitaKaz
Bratty Ratty
|
| 05/08/2007 6:54 PM |
|
| First time I've seen this. and that was no lie. |
|
*Bonita* Mom to Nibbler!
|
|
|
RockysMom
Rat Royalty
|
| 05/14/2007 7:41 AM |
|
| wow..... I have never read ANYTHING that made me cry! This did. It just reinforces my decision that my 2nd rattie will be a rescue. I just hope that a rescue will allow me to get one without a fenced yard! |
|
|
|
|
darby
Rattie
|
| 05/20/2007 12:54 PM |
|
| haha i need a bucket to catch these tears.. woowww |
|
http://www.youravon.com/darbystokes |
|
|
Bronson&Pepper
Ratterific
|
| 05/22/2007 8:19 AM |
|
| wow, that was very, very moving. I can't imagine putting my precious babies through that, though I too have been to the pound and seen dogs with that look in their eyes. I wished so much that I could bring them all home with me and give them all the love they deserve. |
|
My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am! |
|
|
Maureen
Firehouse Big Dog
|
| 05/22/2007 5:19 PM |
|
I've seen it before too! Oh so sad! I can't believe you can love that much and then hurt the little one!
Maureen |
|
Maureen Mom to Abby, Barkley and Reggie..and cat Sarah Jane
Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones
|
|
|
michelle
Bratty Ratty
|
| 05/27/2007 7:18 PM |
|
| What a story. But, that is what it was like when we went and picked out Sonic. You have to feel for all the others in the shelters that do not get a home. Have to go and give my two an extra hug now. |
|
michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
|
|
|
rbout
Newbie
|
| 07/17/2007 4:16 PM |
|
I am reading this at work also, and crying on my keyboard. The thought that immediately popped into my mind:
I wish all of you would help! I'm sure some of you do. My husband and I are foster parents of cats & dogs for King Co Animal Control in the Seattle, WA area. That is how we came to adopt Little Angel, she is a rattie who was left for dead on the side of the road with a fractured pelvis and severley dehydrated and underfed. Her surgery and recovery took 5 months and by then there was no way we could give her back. We also foster kittens and adult cats. Its very sad when they don't make it, but so very joyous when they are adopted!
I urge you to give fostering a try! The shelters provide you with training, food, aand medical care. You don't need alot of room or a long commitment. If you are saddened by animals being put to sleep this is a solution! KCAC has over 150 cats in foster care, these animals would not be alive if fostering did not happen. The shelters are over capacity. Please give it a try, I promise you win't be disappointed
Rita |
|
|
|
|
treble02
Pack Leader
|
| 07/17/2007 4:24 PM |
|
| yes tears....im so glad i decided to save Trixi from a shelter and also that we had support and help with her vet bills when we decided to get her treated for Parvo 2 days after we adopted her! What can I say ....we fell in love...if i had a bigger place and a yard I would definitly consider fostering the poor things |
|
~ Mary, Trixi and Toa's Mommy
Ratbone Rescues Foster Mommy
|
|
|
kaet
Newbie
|
| 07/17/2007 6:48 PM |
|
| I couldn't read it. I got to the part about the ride to the animal shelter. I think I'm going to be sick. |
|
|
|
|
princessKiKi
Newbie
|
| 07/21/2007 9:32 PM |
|
I am new here, I just lost my beloved Rattie ,"Princess KiKi Garcia Wright" and she was only four months old. We had to put her down because she had a tumor in her nasal cavity that tore through and artery and she just about bleed out in under 2 hours! Well , She had to be put down and it has just about done me in, as she brought a spark of zest into my home.
|
|
|
|
|
tauney4
Pack Leader
|
| 07/22/2007 1:47 AM |
|
| OH MY GOODNESS THAT JUST BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES I ALMOST CRIED. YOU KNOW ALOT OF THAT HAPPENS TOO VERY SADLY |
|
|
|
|
michelle_custer
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
|
| 08/24/2007 1:49 PM |
|
| made me cry... ill denfinetly be resucing a rattie |
|
Id rather have my rattie then any other dog
Mom to Domino and Daisey May
|
|
|
bethann
Terrier Terror
|
| 08/24/2007 2:43 PM |
|
| WOW this made me cry so much. I'm not talking tears in my eyes, i'm talking really crying. I don't see how anyone would do this. It made me so sad because the man we got our Sadie from was going to shoot her if we didn't take her. Makes me so glad that we rescued her, even if it only extended her life for a couple of months. It also made me think of the dog we had when I was growing up. We put him to sleep the spring of my summer year because he was having health problems at the age of 16. When COry and I are ready to get another dog we will definately adopt a rescue. |
|
Beth, Sadies pooper scooper |
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
ActiveForums 3.7
|
|
|
|