pleaseread

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
really should have been with mom still, but she was sick and
the humans kept saying that they wanted the 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 2 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 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 and held or shown to humans. Some are
gentle, some hurt us, we always hear,"Awe 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 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 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 from wrong,
give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please
these wonderful people! I love the little girl and 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 o.k., so I
relaxed. The vet must have said sad words to to my beloved
family because they looked awefully sad. I heard severe hip
dysplasia and somthing about my heart? I heard the vet say
something about backyard breeders and that it was
hereditary. I don't know what any of that means, just that it
hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me and I
love them so very much!

I'm 6 months old now. Where most pups are rowdy and
robust, it hurts me terribly 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 sad, and hear Mom and Dad talk
about "it might now be the time". Several times I went to
that veterinary 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 even hurts when I get up to get a drink. I
try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken from 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 veterinary 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 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 can now
softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now,
and I see my mother and brothers and sisters in a far 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 nuzzle of my nose. I had
hoped to spend many moons with them, but it was not
meant to be.

"You see" said the vet, "most 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.

PLEASE BUY FROM A REBUTABLE BREEDER!!!

Do I Go Home Today
By Sharon Thompson

My family brought me home today, cradled in their arms. They cuddled
me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm. I sure do love my
family, especially the girls and boys. They played with me and laughed
at me and showered me with toys. They even loved to feed me and
gave me special treats. They let me sleep with them all snuggled in the
sheets.
They loved to take me for walks, often several times a day, they even
fought to hold my leash I'm proud to say!

These are the things I will never forget, a cherished memory. Now I live
in a shelter without my treasured family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe,
but I did not know the difference between old and new. We would grab
a rope and for hours we would tug and tug, I thought I did the right
thing when I chewed on the bathroom rug.
They said I was out of control and would have to live outside. This I did
not understand, although I tried and tried. Then the walks stopped one
by one, they said they had no time.
I wish 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 just to keep from going insane. So they brought me to
this shelter, but were to embarressed to say why, They said I caused
an allergy and went on their way.

If only I had some classes when I was just a pup, I would not have
been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left" I heard the shelter worker say. Does this
mean I get a second chance?
Do I go home today????