The life of a shelter dog, I wanted to share this with everyone. Some have seen it before and some have not?

by .imelda

“How Could You?”

By Jim Willis

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a digit of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered toss pillows, I became your best friend.

Whenever I was terrible, you’d shake your finger at me and question, “How could you?” –but then you’d relent, and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a small 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 anymore perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because you said ice cream is terrible for dogs), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you started spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, reassured you through your heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about terrible decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in like. 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 pleased because you were pleased!

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 like them, but I became a “prisoner of like”.

As they started to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked their 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 have 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 waiting for the signal of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others questioned you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them tales about me. These past few being, you just answered “yes” and altered the subject. I had gone from being “your dog” to “just a dog” and you resented each expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and them will be moving to an apartment building that does not allow pets. You’ve made the right pronouncement for your “family”, but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride in anticipation of we at home at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of dread and hopelessness.

You filled out the paperwork and said, “I know you will find a excellent home for her.” They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They know the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with “ID”.

You had to pry your son’s fingers from my collar as he screamed “No, Daddy! Delight 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 like and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a excellent-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes and politely refused to take my collar and strap with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you doubtless knew about your upcoming go months ago and made no attempt to find me another excellent home. They shook their heads and questioned, “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 altered your mind –that this was a terrible 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 pleased 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 gangway after her to a separate room. A absolutely silent 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 like had run out of days. As is my scenery, 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 each 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 being 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, looking into her kind eyes and murmured, “How could you?”

Perhaps she unwritten my dogspeak because she said “I’m so sorry.” She hugged me, and hurriedly clarified that it was her job to make sure I went to a better house, everywhere I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned or have to fend for myslef: a house of like and set alight so very different from this earthly house. 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 you, my beloved master, that I was thinking of. I will reckon of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End

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 tale of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American shelters.
I just read both “A Dogs Plea” and ” A Chained Dogs Plea” They too made me weep.

Answer by ♥PomMom♥
Thank you, Monica. It’s very sad, but so right for many dogs.

Answer by Rachel
Me? Crying?

Yup….

So so sad!

Answer by lifeisgrand99
I really agree!! I get so sick of people export 500-2,000 dollar dogs just so they can place them in a 1,500 dollar bag!! There always excellent animals that need a home and would only cost 50 dollars. Adopt a pet now. Visit your local humane society now!!!!!!

Answer by Shanna
I read that one night when I was contemplating charitable up on my severly dog aggressive dog. I just started bawling and knew that she was worth saving. It’s been a lot of work but we have come a long way and she was absolutely worth it.
I reckon that is a wonderful tale and I reckon everyone should hear it.

Answer by eve_s
I hope my dogs never had to experience this. so sad.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Red Mason Bee,s (Osmia rufu)


Image by Andreas-photography
European Honey bee queens mate with up to 20 male bees, it has only been learned recently that they do this to preserve and insure the colony

for some reason a queen who mates with many males will have a colony that produces 30% more cones then a queen who mates with only a few males

this in turn produces more honey

Just thought these pictures would be fascinating, all jokes aside the Honey bee is now at risk not just from parasites but also us

the consequences of having no honey bees could mean we starve to death as they are needed not just to pollenate pretty flowers but also fruit and vegetables

In fact bees are so excellent at the job they do that tomatoe growers and fruit producers keep honey bees in the conservational houses to pollenate the fruits and veg

I will leave the description even though thanks to flickr member
Louise in Northumberland has said they are Red mason bees see her comment for info about them

Is there any tips to having a excellent contest???
Like I can dribble past cones pretty quick, but can’t do the same stuff during matches against human opposition, not even during schooling matches against team mates.

Answer by Pool for the PL!
There’s not much you can do.

All that is needed in this case is experience. You need experience in order to combine all those drills in a football much, you need experience to know how your opponents and teammates will react in different cases and you need experience to know what would be right to do in a particular moment.

Trying playing as much as you can against human opponents so you can get a bit more experience, which you could effectively use in a playing field.

P.S: You’ll get all these things done in time, don’t worry.

Answer by X360 Rocks!
hey, ur gonna b fine, just need some experience and just delight in the game and instead of thinking about the drills, follow your instinct and watch more football…

Answer by Jonas
You just need experience and more practice with human opponents. The thing with the cones are that they are stationary which is very different when you are already in the actual matches. Just be patient and questioned for some help from your teammates during practice. You could also try at this resource which might be able to help you improve your game. http://www.slideshare.net/donaldmair/conditioning-soccer-drills-total-soccer-fitness

Answer by Ruehl, RG
what everone down there said, plus confidence, trust me i was excellent at practices only. but at game si sucked. by you need experience and confident. now I am in the jv team in freshman

Answer by XF25
dude you are just nervous, i sometimes get that feeling too even i played matches since i was 5. When i challenge teams when im nervous i usually just change my mind to make it seem fun.Then as you progress through the game, the challenge will start to get in from either being warmed up or people yelling at you.

What do you reckon? Answer below!

Me and my mate trying to burn a wasps nest with a cone…rather amusing actully:)