Ode to a Shelter Dog

[BG and Gavin]

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a freezer now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge .
Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys. Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.
Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.” Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how. Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me. I died today.
Love, Your Puppy

 

Thank you to everyone that has saved a dog's life!

[Carol and Banjo]

This is the most moving post I've ever seen on DK.   If you don't mind I'm going to copy and paste and forward to all of my e-mail contacts.

[Kate]

Okay. I'm crying now.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

WOW!!! :-/

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

That's very powerful!  Unfortunately, the people that need to read this (before they get a puppy) won't ever see it, and if they do happen to run across it, they won't "get" it!!!

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

This does bring a tear to my eye

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

:(

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks to all the kind foster parents, rescue administrators, transpoters etc. there are many happier endings.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so glad you posted this here. Our doodles are so lucky to have parents that take the time to learn, share and ask questions about their health and well being. I thank my lucky stars that I found DK when Samantha was young.

 

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for responding everyone.  I know this post was a bit of a "downer" but it truly highlights all of the wonderful people on this site that give of themselves to save dogs like this. @Doris, I saw your wonderful picture.  Another happy ending.  There have been sooo many of them lately :)

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Just found a forever home for my sweet foster Leah, and oh, what a great feeling!   I will never forget the look on her face when I pulled her from the shelter...so glad DK and DRC gave me the courage to do what I did.  This really hits home...