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 a 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 I should be sold

at "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 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 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 gently 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 so 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

dysplasia, 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 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 breath. I keep trying my best to

be the strong pup I know I'm 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, "it might now be the

time."

Several times I have went 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 muzzle with my family.

Last night was the worst, pain has been my constant companion

now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up

but can only whine in pain. I was 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 veterinarians 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 softly lick 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 her love. I feel

a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I

am beginning to feel peace descend upon me. I 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, 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.