"A man's soul can be judged by the way that he treats his dog."

"Cowboy's Devotion To Me"
A Person Should Be So Lucky As To Have The Devotion Of A Dog.

 
Do I Go Home Today?

by Sandi Thompson

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter - without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? DO I GO HOME TODAY?

***

This is a test to determine if people are truly ready for a dog.
They will be stressed to every limit, with little mercy shown. If the Potential Puppy
Owner passes, they will be given a liscence to start learning about the
breed of their choice.

Hereinafter the Potential Puppy Owner will be referred as PPO.

Under no circumstances will physical force, yelling, cursing, or
threatening will be used.

Protective padding, or soil proof clothes of any sort are NOT permitted.

Small wounds and scratches will be handled in a blase manner. Washing with
water, and a bandage will be distributed to each PPO.

Tests will be held in a variety of enviroments. From crowded interiors to
muddy fields, to brush. PPO must enter all environments with a happy face.

PPO will only have one set of clothes permitted. If at any time, they are
seen wiping off dog hair or saliva, they will fail.

Test.

PPO must control a highly stimulated 10 month old male German Shepherd
puppy. PPO must be able to calm down the dog into a down position in 2
minutes. Only a flat buckle collar and nylon lead will be issued.

PPO must stand in between a 14 month old Labrador Retriever puppy and a
field. The handler of the puppy will then throw a ball directly in the path
of the PPO. PPO must stand their ground and take their clobbering in good
nature.

PPO must serve dinner to six Rottweiler puppies. The puppies will be no
older than six months and no younger than four months. PPO must not spill
the food and the puppies will not be held in any stay position.

PPO must quiet either four Shetland Sheepdogs, or six Pomeranians when the
doorbell rings. PPO has two minutes and all dogs will be off lead. The dogs
must have been handled previously by a breeder immune to the noise, and
living in the middle of nowhere.

PPO must hold their ground with 10 Jack Rusell Terriers chasing a animal
that they see as prey. PPO must hold their leashes and not move more than 6
inches. No corrections will be issued, but PPO is welcome to try and
distract them.

PPO Must hold their ground with 2 Great Danes on ice. They may not move
more than 100 ft.

PPO Must play with a male Newfoundland after the dog has been swimming in a
pond. They must attempt to dry themselve's off with a tea towel. At no
time, will the PPO react disgusted.

PPO Must leave two huskies alone with their home for 3 hours uncrated. The
dogs will not be kept in a room where any posed danger to themselves is
prominant. PPO must not loose temper with the dogs. PPO may cry however.

PPO Must groom an adult male Collie blowing coat completely within 25
minutes. Eyes, Nails, Paws, Ears, Teeth and Coat. The dog will be recently
bathed to give PPO a good chance.

PPO must be introduced into a pack of Beagles ready for a hunt, without
cringing at the noise.

PPO must fit a Basenji into a weather protective coat within 5 minutes. The
Basenji will have never been trained to wear protective clothing before.

PPO must remove the thistles out of the coat of a American Cocker Spaniel.
The coat will only be medium length, but all thistles will be removed by
hand and a fine toothed comb.

PPO must exercise a Vizsla who has not received exercise for 2 days. PPO
must not tire out before the dog.

PPO must sleep in the room with a Bulldog. If PPO does not get any sleep,
they must appear cheerful and sunny.

PPO must clean the yard of a St. Bernard breeder within 10 minutes in a
snowstorm and may not use any type of bag other than the common supermarket
shopping bag.

PPO will take a large breed to the vets after being neutered.

PPO will nagivate through 10 small dogs without stepping on one.

PPO must pass an agility course.

PPO must secure a steady supply of used bag withing 3 days.

PPO must be able to successfully get a dog to throw up in a bag while they
are in the passenger seat of a car.

PPO must not die of shock when they have to cough up the veterinary fees to
neuter an adult Mastiff.

PPO must not die of shock at the food bill of two growing Bullmastiffs.

PPO must sit in a closed room with at least two dogs that have been fed
broccoli and beans for dinner.

PPO Must live with two 5 month old active breed puppies and not go insane.

PPO must vow to love, train, care and nurture their dogs for the rest of
the dog's life. PPO must accept that each and every dog is an individual
which needs to live in a pack. PPO must vow to educate themselves about
their breed of choice and the requirements expected. The PPO must vow to
purchase the puppy from a reputable rescue/shelter or breeder. The PPO will
also conduct themselves and their dogs in a repsonsible manner securing
liberties for the rest of the dog loving community. Furthermore the PPO
must manage to keep good humoured and remember that for every insane,
tough, bad moment, there will always be a hundred more good ones. PPO must
try to be the person their dog thinks they are.

***

 Thoughts On Commitment

Before you purchase that bouncing ball of fur in the pet shop window or pick up that soft eyed pup in the "Free to Good Home" box outside the grocery store, think about it.  Do I really want a pup right now?  A cute baby that will grow into a dog.  An animal that needs love, exercise and medical care for approximately ten or more years.  Will you be willing to brush and groom it, play with it, walk it, pay for medical bills for it, feed it quality food, license it and accept it into your home after the novelty wears off?   Will you have forgiveness in your heart when the puppy chews your favorite leather shoes, stains your Persian rug, topples over the trash can?  Will you take the time to train and socialize the pup in order for him to feel confident and become a better companion.  Will you spay or neuter the pup to prevent unwanted puppies that may be doomed for the worst?

If you still think that you are capable of this, then what breed should you own?  Purebred or mixed?   There are many breeds of dogs in the world today.  All of the breeds have evolved for one use or more.  Not all of these uses may be ideal for your lifestyle or family.  Do you want a guard dog, a children's dog, a dog to sit in your lap, a dog that is easy to train, a dog that is high energy or a couch potato?  One must research, research, research!  You can visit dog shows, obedience trials, and breeders, read literature, search the web, join an e-mail list for all breeds or a specific breed.  Don't get a particular dog because it's beautiful, trendy, or you had one when you grew up.  Obtain a dog that will mesh with your life.  Also, remember that mixed breeds are not a breed of their own.  Analyze the breeds that may be in the mixed breed and consider the traits, genetic problems, and health issues of each breed in the mix. 

Where do you go to get a puppy or adult dog?  Please do not buy from a pet store.  Most likely their puppies are from puppy mills or backyard breeders.  Buying a pup from a pet store will only promote puppy mills and irresponsible breeders and possibly give you an unhealthy dog with genetic faults in temperament, structure and health.  I am saddened when I enter our local mall's pet store and see Golden Retriever's with no coat, Rottweiler's with questionable hips, German Shepherds with no bone, Chow's with entropian and Fox Terrier's with over shot jaws.  Many of these dog's may not be unhealthy but they may have hidden temperament problems or are improperly socialized.  For the price of a pet store puppy, you may often be able to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder who breeds out of love for their breed and not for the almighty buck.  They often breed for the betterment of the breed and offer health/temperament guarantees.   If a breeder questions you about buying a dog, this is a good sign that he/she cares about their breed and pups.

Rescue groups are another noble bunch of people doing their all for the love of their breed.  Though puppies are more rare in rescue, they are possible.  However, adopting an adult dog has it's pluses.  You can see what the "finished result" looks like, unlike a puppy.  You can often pass on the teething stages, the housebreaking woes and the terrible teens to name a few.  Whether from a shelter or rescue, often a rescue dog is so thankful for a loving home that he may even be more loyal than a pup who has not seen any sad days in his life.  Also, you will be helping to fight pet over population and possibly saving a dog from death row.  Furthermore, sometimes breeders place adult dogs in loving homes.

In closing, please remember that owning a dog is quite a commitment.  However, it is time and love well spent and will be replaced tenfold.

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader.  He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion" -- Unknown

  ***

Before You Become A Dog Owner, Ask Yourself These Questions:

1)  What pets have you owned in the past ten years?  What happened to them?  Did you have the current fad dog and then turn it into the shelter a couple of years later?  Did your dog run away?  Was it too hard to take care of?  If you have answered "yes" to any of these, the commitment to own a dog may be too much for you.

2)  Are all of the family members in agreement to getting a family dog?

3)  How many years do you plan to keep this dog?   A dog can live up to 12-18 years and become harder to care for in it's senior years.

4)  How much money do you plan to invest in the dog from year to year?  Can you afford to care for it and pay for vet bills if it should get sick?  Can you afford to feed a large dog, or would a smaller dog be better?  Can you afford to install a high enough fence?  Pay groomers?  Pay for any health problems or special diet the dog needs in case of a long term health problem?

5)  Do you rent your home?  Will your landlord allow dogs, how many, size, breed specific, security deposit?  If you should have to move from your rented home, will you have to find a home for your dog?  Will you really search for another home allowing dogs?  One of the most common reasons that dogs are put in shelters is due to "moving".

6)  Under what circumstances would you not keep this dog?

7)  Is anyone in your house allergic to the dog?   Should you not get a dog or look into a breed less allergenic?

8)  What is the typical day in your household   like?  Hectic?  Kids busy with homework?  Are you gone 16 hours a day?  Owners should be home 50% of the time on the weekend.  Will you have time to walk the dog twice a day?  Will you have time to train and groom the dog?   Dogs are pack animals.  They want to be with you.  Can you include the dog on extracurricular activites with the kids?  Will you take the dog with on family outings?

9)  What pets do you have already?  Certain breeds do not take kindly to other dogs or cats and other pets.  If you have a cat, do you feel confortable with a dog around it?  Will all animals live happily together?

10)  What activity level and temperament do you want in a dog?  In general, shy dogs should be with mild mannered people and dominant dogs should be with more assertive people.  Fast paced people usually like frisky dogs.  Sedate people are better with older dogs or mellow breeds.

Can't decide on what breed is best for you?  Try SelectSmart.  This site may help as a "guide" to help you find a breed suitable for you and your lifestyle.

11)  Are you willing to groom the dog or have the dog groomed on a regular basis?  Different breeds have different coat care needs, some of which need special care and a variety of grooming tools.

12)  Are you willing to keep up with obedience training?  It is important that the new family members establish a healthy bond with the dog, and training is a good way to accomplish this.  Folks with the knowledge of basic dog obedience as well as the desire to continue in training show a solid commitment to a dog's need for good leadership.  An untrained dog can be very hard to live with and may have one foot in the nearest shelter.

Links of Interest:

So you want to buy a GSD?

Buying A Purebred Puppy

2000 Dog Names - What To Name Your Puppy

 ***

10 Reasons Not to Buy a Puppy from a Pet Store
-- written by Catherine M. Sheeter

1. Health-

That adorable puppy in the window of the pet store is hard to resist, but you may
be paying a lot of money for a dog that you know very little about. Pet stores
generally rely on impulse buys to sell their "product". There is a good chance that
the pet store puppy will develop a health problem sometime in its life that may
cost you a lot of money to remedy. When you buy a pet store puppy it is very
unlikely that the puppy's parents were screened for genetic diseases that can be
passed to their offspring. Every breed of dog has genetic problems that are
passed from generation to generation by breeding dogs that carry the flawed
gene. Many of these genetic problems can be detected with today's technology,
but these tests are expensive. People who are concerned about the welfare and
future of their breed will have these tests conducted to preserve and improve in
the future quality of their breed. Most good breeders are more concerned about
the health of the puppies that they are producing than the money that they will or
won't make on the production of a litter.

2. The myth about AKC papers-

Most pet shops would like you to believe that if a puppy is registered by the
American Kennel Club, this guarantees the puppy will be healthy and a good
example of the breed. This is not so. The only thing that AKC papers certify is
that the puppy is a purebred and produced out of AKC registered parents. Even
this can be fiction, as some producers register more puppies than are actually
born in each litter to receive extra registration slips to pass out with unregisterable
puppies. The parents of your puppy may be unhealthy or carriers of crippling or
deadly health defects which they may have passed to their offspring- your puppy.
They may also be horrible representations of the breed that you are buying. Often
times the parentage of pet store puppies is also questionable due to poor record
keeping. In other words, your puppy may not even be a purebred, even though it
has AKC papers. Responsible breeders do register their puppies with the AKC,
but that is only the beginning.

3. The pet shop guarantee-

Many pet stores provide a form of guarantee for people buying puppies from
them, but their guarantees may be as bad as none at all. A not-so-uncommon
scenario goes something like this: after your family has become attached to your
adorable new puppy you find out it is sick. It will cost you several hundred dollars
to treat, so you take the puppy back to the store to receive your guarantee. What
they will most likely offer to do is trade you puppies- take away your beloved pet
and replace it with a new puppy, not necessarily a healthier one, either. They will
most likely euthanize the puppy you brought back, because this is cheaper for the
store. The other tactic that some stores use is to tell you your puppy will grow out
of the problem- until their guarantee has expired. Do you want to take this risk?

4. What will that puppy look like when it is full grown?

You may have seen specimens of the breed that you are buying, but this does not
guarantee that this puppy will fit the breed standard. You do not know if the
parents fit the standard either and cannot see the faults that each parent has.
There is no perfect dog, but a good breeder will be willing to discuss the faults
and strengths that each of their dogs possesses. You should also be able to see
at least the mother of the puppy that you are buying if bought from a responsible
breeder. Even then you can not tell exactly what the puppy will look like, but you
will have a much better idea of what to expect. Why spend so much money
without even knowing what the puppy's parents look like?

5. What do you know about the breed?

Employees of pet stores generally know very little about the dogs that are in the
store. They can probably tell you a little bit about the breed and then point you to
a rack of generic dog books. What do you do after you bring the puppy home,
only to find that this breed is not the right one for you and your family? Good
breeders are full of information about the breed of puppy that you are considering.
They should be able to tell you the general temperament aspects of the breed and
help you predict whether this breed of dog will fit into your lifestyle. They will also
be able to warn you about specific health problems that the breed is prone to and
will be able to tell you what aspects the breed excels in. There is no breed of dog
perfect for every person and a good breeder is concerned that their puppy goes
to a home that they will fit into.

6. Housebreaking and training problems-

This puppy that you are buying from a pet store has most likely spent much of its
life in a cage. Many pet store puppies have never seen carpet and may never
have even seen grass or dirt. Due to the conditions that puppies are kept in at
pet stores, they have been forced to eliminate in the same area that they sleep
and eat. This goes against the dog's natural instinct, but your puppy has had no
choice. This habit may make housebreaking your puppy much more difficult. A
good breeder keeps the puppy area very clean and makes sure the puppy has a
separate elimination area. By the time the puppies are ready to go to their new
homes they will be well on the way to being house trained. Good breeders will
often also start teaching their puppies how to walk on a leash and to lie quietly for
grooming. A pet store puppy has most likely never walked on a leash or been
brushed before. It can be much more difficult to teach a pet store puppy these
daily exercises than a puppy that has been brought up properly. Responsible
breeders also base their breeding decisions in part on their dogs' temperament
and personality, not only on looks or the fact that they are purebred. Most pet
store puppies' parents have not been selected for any reason other than they can
produce puppies that sell as cute "purebreds" registered by the AKC.

7. How about Socialization?

Your pet store puppy may well have never been in a house before. If this is the
case then everything will be new and scary for them. The doorbell, vacuum
cleaner, and children playing are all new sensations that can be terrifying to an
unsocialized puppy. Good breeders will expose their puppies to many situations
so that the puppies are used to them by the time that they go to their new homes.
Most responsible breeders have evaluated the temperament of each of their
puppies before they are placed in a new home. A good breeder will know, due to
hours of observation, which puppies are dominant and which are shy, which are
energetic and which are easy going. Then the breeder will be able to match the
puppy to the new owner and make sure that energetic pups go to active families
and that shy puppies go to a home that can help them overcome their insecurity.
This careful evaluation enables a breeder to choose which puppy will fit your
household and much of the guesswork is taken out of the selection process.
Good breeders can help you make an educated decision about all aspects of
your puppy's feeding, training and overall maintenance and care based on your
family situation. If you are going to spend so much money on a dog that you plan
to keep for its lifetime, why not find one that will fit into your lifestyle well?

8. What is a pedigree worth?

Some pet shops make a big deal out of their puppies' pedigrees. This is
interesting, as the pedigree is really just a piece of paper with names on it.
Unless you know the dogs behind those names the pedigree is really quite
useless to the new owner. Can the pet store tell you what your puppies grand-
parents died of, or how long they lived? Do any of the dogs in your pup's
pedigree carry genetic diseases? Most pet store employees do not know any
more about your puppy's background than you do. A reputable breeder can tell
you all of this information about your pup's family tree and more. When you buy a
puppy from a reputable breeder you are getting more than a piece of paper, you
are getting the important information associated with the names too. Almost all
responsible breeders will achieve titles on their dogs by showing them under
unbiased judges. They will achieve championships on their dogs, which tells that
the dog is a good representation of the breed. Some breeders also obtain
obedience, or other titles that relate to the job that their breed of dog was
originally bred to perform. Many also achieve canine good citizen titles on their
breeding dogs. These titles will be shown on the dog's pedigree before and after
the parents' names. Ask the breeder to explain what the letters mean.

9. Do you want to support puppy mills?

Almost all puppies that are in pet stores come from puppy mills. These
operations are exactly what the name implies. Most mass produce puppies with
money as the prime motive. Their breeding dogs are often kept in very poor
conditions and are sometimes malnourished. The dogs are almost never tested
for genetic diseases and may not receive vaccinations. Puppy mills often obtain
their breeding dogs from people in a hurry to get rid of their dogs for some
reason, often through "free dog" ads in newspapers or public auctions.
Occasionally they are stolen from their owners. Females are generally bred every
heat cycle until they are worn out and then they are often sentenced to death. The
horror of puppy mills is encouraged every time a puppy is bought from a puppy
store.

How do you know that your puppy comes from one of these places? The main
reason is that almost no responsible breeders will sell puppies to pet stores.
Good breeders want to make sure that their puppies go to good homes and are
well cared for. They want to be actively involved in screening the home that their
puppies go to. Breeders are also concerned about keeping track of their
puppies after they leave the breeder's home. They will know about any health
problems that their lines may carry, and will be interested in any health problems
that a puppy of their breeding develops. A pet store usually never hears about
their puppies once they leave the store, and generally really don't care. Buying
from a pet store does not mean that you will save any money in the purchase
price of the puppy either. When you buy from a reputable breeder there is no
middle man involved who wants to take his share of the profit out of the price of
the puppy. Often the price that good breeders charge is no more, and sometimes
less, than what you will pay buying a puppy from a pet store.

10. After the puppy goes home-

Once you take the puppy home from the pet store they do not generally care what
happens to the puppy. Most pet shops do not care if the dog is left to run loose
and kill livestock, or if it dies of liver disease at one year old. If you have a training
problem they will often be unable or unwilling to give you training advice. Most do
not care if you take your dog home and breed it continually. Responsible
breeders are more than people who sell puppies, they will also be good friends to
you and your puppy. They care what happens to their puppies' once they are
sold. Almost all good breeders sell on spay/neuter contracts or limited
registration. This practice enables breeders to keep dogs that are not breeding
quality out of the breeding population and also monitor what happens to their
puppies in their new homes. Some breeders sell show quality puppies on
co-ownership, so that they retain a portion of the dog's ownership, for better
control of what happens to their dog later in it's life. If you have a health or training
problem a good breeder will generally be able to offer you advice and help you
through the ordeal. Most reputable breeder care about each of their puppies'
futures and will be concerned about their welfare. They care not only about their
own dogs, but also the impact their dogs will make on the breed as a whole.

So please next time you are looking for a new puppy to buy, do your research.
One of the best steps toward becoming an educated puppy buyer and dog owner
is to attending American Kennel Club sanctioned shows and carefully researching
each breed that you are interested in. Once you decide what breed of dog you
would like to add to your household, talk to many breeders. Good breeders can
inform you about genetic diseases common in the breed you want and are
generally happy to share their knowledge. When you are ready to buy a puppy
from a particular planned litter ask the breeder for proof of genetic tests specific
to the breed and request to see one or both of the parents of your new puppy.

A common excuse for buying a puppy from a pet store is that you do not plan to
show your puppy, you just want a companion. Out of each litter that a reputable
breeder produces there is a good chance that at least a portion of the puppies in
each litter will not be show quality, but would make outstanding pets. Not every
puppy that a breeder produces is destined for stardom in the show ring, but might
well be the next shining star in your household. Please pass up the next puppy
you see in the pet store and contact breed organizations. They will be able to
match you with a responsible breeder that will help you add a well adjusted and
healthy new canine member to your family.

Other positive alternatives are adopting a dog from your local humane society or
adopting a rescue dog from various rescue organizations located throughout the
United States. Every breed of dog registered by the AKC has at least one rescue
organization that will take in dogs of that breed and places them in new loving
homes. There are endless numbers of dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages and
personalities in need of a new loving home. When you obtain a dog from one of
these organizations you are more than saving that dogs life. You are also
sparing a female dog in some puppy mill from being condemned to produce yet
another litter for pet shop sales. So please be rational and thoughtful when you
go to get your next dog and help prevent irresponsible pet ownership.

A pet store is generally the worst place to buy a puppy. As long as there is a
market for pet store puppies, other dogs will be condemned to death by mass
breeding only so that a few people can make some money, often with no thought
of the welfare of their "product." This is not to say that a good pet has never come
out of a pet store, as many have. For each that has, though, many others have
not. Remember, when you buy a puppy, you are adding another member to your
family, not just another piece of furniture that can be disposed of at the smallest
whim. You would not have a child without careful research and planning for the
child's future ten or fifteen years down the road. Your new dog should be no
different. Adding a dog to the family is a long term commitment and responsibility
that should be taken seriously and only acted upon after careful consideration and
research.

NOTE: The distribution of this article is encouraged.

"A Puppy Mill Tear Jerker"

I don't remember much about 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 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 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 dysplacia, and something about
my heart... I heard the vet say something about, back yard 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 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 "it might now be the time". Several times I have went to
that veterinarians 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 now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but
can only whine in pain. I 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 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, 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.

(This story may be published or reprinted in the hope 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)

 ***

1-800-spay-USA

 ***

Sorrow fills a barren space
you close your eyes and see my face
and think of times I made you laugh
the love we shared, the bond we had,
the special way I needed you -
the friendship shared by just we two.
The day's too quiet, the world seems older,
the wind blows now a little colder.
You gaze into the empty air
and look for me, but I'm not there -
I'm in heaven and I watch you,
and I see the world around you too.
I see little souls wearing fur,
souls who bark and souls who purr
born unwanted and unloved -
I see all this and more above -
I watch them suffer, I see them cry,
I see them lost, I watch them die.
I see unwanted thousands born -
and when they die, nobody mourns.
These little souls wearing fur
(Some who bark and some who purr)
are castaways who - unlike me -
will never know love or security.
A few short months they starve and roam,
Or caged in shelters - nobody takes home.
They're special too (furballs of pleasure),
filled with love and each one, a treasure.
My pain and suffering came to an end,
so don't cry for me, my person, my friend.
But think of the living - those souls with fur
(some who bark and some who purr) -
And though our bond can't be broken apart,
make room for another in your home and your heart.

--Author Unknown

The Power Of The Dog

by,  Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie~
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find it's your own affair~
But ~ you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone~wherever it goes~for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay,
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long~
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

 ***

"The Meaning of Rescue"

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I'd like to open by baggage
Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry -
So much to regret.
Hmm...yes there it is, right on top
Let's unpack Loneliness, heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
as I look on these things I tried so hard to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things -
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never repack?
    I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
       But I do come with baggage -
     Will you still want me?

by Evelyn Colbath

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