Pic: I am a forever dog

[The Straight Story]

[joeybee12]

1. Absolutely...knr

[hobbit709]

2. Damn right!

Every dog we've had was an forever dog.

[roguevalley]

104. For my Gretchen RIP at 22, for my Timmy, 18 and my Pip, 16, KICK TO JUPITER!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

3. Damn right. n/t

[warrior1]

4. I have a forever dog

He's going on 13.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. We should apply this logic to our foreign military adventures, too.

[loudsue]

90. True that!

This would be a good reminder for a lot of actions & positions we take. Too bad the PTB didn't realize that the OCCUPY movement was a forever dog, too.

[lamp_shade]

6. That made me cry....

I work at a no-kill rescue shelter. Oh the stories I could tell.

[greytdemocrat]

7. Exactly!!! n/t

[johnnie]

8. You rock SS n/t

[onehandle]

9. 'Pick me!'

They've been playing this commercial a lot on tv in the last week. Gets me every time.

[derby378]

14. That is so sweet

The cats that Ginny and I adopted didn't even make it to the shelter - they were all street cats. And we loved them all to pieces.

[tosh]

31. Speaking of "Mutts"...

it has a pretty cool presence on FB. I highly recommend friending it or liking it or whatever it is this week.

[OnyxCollie]

63. Must... not... cry...

[a la izquierda]

101. I bawl my eyes out every time...

My husband wishes that we could just put a chip in our TV that zaps all animal rights commercials (Sarah McLaughlin, etc). We donate to ASPCA, he thinks we shouldn't have to see them.

[surrealAmerican]

10. The one problem here ...

... is that, as much as we might want to, no person can make that promise. Even if you are young and healthy, you might die before your dog does. Does this mean nobody should have a dog?

[HillWilliam]

18. That's really grabbing at a straw

The overwhelming likelihood is that the human will outlive the dog. That's the sad part of being a furparent; knowing there's every chance that some day you'll have to say "goodbye" to a dear friend.

Nobody gets promised a tomorrow, but that's no reason to refuse to make somebody's "today" better.

[CakeGrrl]

19. That's a pretty understandable exception.

I remember chatting with a staff member at my dog's daycamp facility who remarked that some people surrendered their pets as their finances got tight.

I can't speak to anyone's situation but my own, but I did wonder how urgent the finances got before that decision was made.

Personally, it would be my absolute last resort, and ONLY if I really could not see ANY way to feed or provide care for my dog, including accepting help from friends or family. I'm loath to do that for myself, but I'd do it to keep my pet.

[phylny]

37. We got our shelter dog because his owner became ill with diabetes

and felt he couldn't properly take care of him. Of course, he had four dogs altogether (mom, dad and two puppies) and it appears he lied about heartworms (Jack had them, we found out after he came home with us). But I can tell he was cared for and loved by someone at some point.

Now, when he looks up at me as we're cuddling, I tell him I am so sorry that someone gave him up and that he had to live in a shelter, but I am so happy he was there so that we could take him home. Then I tell him he never has to worry, and we will take care of him forever.

Of course, if something happened to me or my husband, one of our daughters would happily take him (and his "sister" Abby).

[CakeGrrl]

61. Mine is a shelter dog too

He was surrendered under less serious circumstances, but like you I'm glad I had the chance to adopt him. I plan to do as much as I can to make sure he stays spoiled for the rest of his life!

[Stonepounder]

73. Ours is a rescue.

He came out of a puppy mill where he was standing stud. When we got him he would come when he was called, but would slink up to us, expecting to be hit. The first time I spoke sharply to him he literally went into hysterics and I had to pick him up and tell him he was OK. Now he is the sweetest dog you can imagine and knows that he won't ever get hit, not under any circumstances - and now when we call him he comes at a run with his tail wagging. When we moved back to Kentucky, the first question we asked in any of the neighborhoods we were considering was 'do you accept pets?'.

There was an article in the Sunday paper about pets and how they are good for you. And one of the comments they made was that you can tell alot about the quality of a neighborhood by how many people have pets.

[11 Bravo]

88. We also have a rescue pooch ...

She is the sweetest girl in the world!

[Guy Montag]

81. I'm with you, I never can understand

how someone can treat the sacred responsibility to a cherished one like a pet as if it were a triviality in any way on any level.

I had a pet that got injured very badly and went contrary to the veterinarian's recommendation and spent a great deal to return her to health.

I am not going to worry about money in regards to an animal so unselfish she or he would die to save my life.

To me, it gets no more simple than that.

[roguevalley]

105. when half my family died ten months apart I had four elderly

dachshunds with crippling health problems (injuries, had to remove an eye, arthritis) and i was licking dirt. My dogs ate and got their medical. Took me two years to pay off the vet. I remember I didn't eat sometimes because of it. I remember hallucinating from hunger a couple of times and losing my short term memory, my joints hurt like fury. But that is past and all is well now. Finally. I don't regret a thing.

[MADem]

62. You designate someone to pick up after you.

Surely you have a friend or family member who will have your back on this score?

I've fostered animals when neighbors got sick. I "inherited" a very old dog from a relative that died. I also took on a cat from a friend who was killed.

Sure, the person you designate "can" let you down, but if you guilt 'em good enough while you're still alive, they will at least take the effort to find the dog a home--unless you are dealing with people of absolutely no character.

Promises are declarations that you intend to keep.

[Prophet 451]

69. While it does happen, that's unlikely

Most of the time, the owner is going to outlive the pet.

[cally]

11. absolutely!!!!

[Arugula Latte]

12. Same goes for the kitties

And bunnies. Bunnies get dumped A LOT because they are not an "easy" pet like people expect. That's how we got our bun -- he showed up in our yard one day.

[HillWilliam]

13. Huge K&R

Last edited Sun Jan 22, 2012, 08:57 PM - Edit history (1)

Dogs aren't furniture, something to be brought in for show or left out in every kind of weather to be ignored. They are pack animals who need the emotional support of their family, canine or human. They're not jewelry, bought to be worn once or twice to show off then to languish forgotten, put away somewhere.

I have six rescues, some who came from some pretty rotten situations. They're my best friends. We're all grateful for each other's company. Even though I'm still unemployed, they get doctor visits before I do (and I don't any more, but they do), they get food before I get groceries, and they still have treats and rewards for good service.

Whoever said "money can't buy love" never rescued an animal and lived with it for life.

(Edit to add missing word.)

[astonamous]

23. AGREE! I always tell people that leave their dogs outside...

go to Home Depot if you want a yard decoration.

[dixiegrrrrl]

32. "yard dogs" are a horrible problem here.

and perfectly legal.
People buy a dog, stick in a yard, if the dog is lucky, or a small cage/pen if it is not lucky, and it lives there, all its life, never gets taken out, never gets played with or petted, its use is as an alarm system.
The poor things bark like crazy all the time, of course, thus defeating the idea of having an alarm in the yard.
Freezing winter nights, or 100 degree days, dog stays in the yard.
Legally the owner has to provide shelter and water and food, but that is all.
There is one down the street from me, has been there every day in the 6 years I have lived in this house.
It is a Australian blue heeler,, to make things worse, bred to herd, bred to work and be active, and all it can do is run around a fenced yard, no one is home all day, and at night the owners are in the house.
And nothing can legally be done.

[HillWilliam]

38. That burns my ass like a 3-foot flame

Our eldest is half cattledog (her dad was a Blue) and have bench springer. Heelers are extremely intelligent, brave, and very loyal. What a friendship that family is missing out on.

Eldergirl is my partner's retired service dog. If it wasn't for her, he might not have made it these last 12 years. We're training up a border collie now to take her job (nobody can take Dora's place). For all the love, care, and watchfulness Dora has given, we're doing our best to give her the most comfortable, happy, and carefree golden age a dog can have.

You can tell we adore our herders and heelers; we've a house-full. Thank goodness we're blessed with 3 fenced in acres to let the go out and run off the energy. It's amazing how they take turns playing and watching over my partner; they work their stuff out amongst themselves. They're amazing creatures and give back so much love.

Of all the people in the world I know, I trust my dogs the most.

[phylny]

39. I provide Early Intervention speech services, and there's a house that I go to where

there's a puppy outside. She's chained, and I used go up and say hi to her before going into the house. Now, she's huge and is not trained, so she jumps up and gets me dirty and almost knocks me down.

I feel for her, because she's got a sweet temperament, but it's obvious she's starved for affection. Of course, she was a puppy from the owner's unexpected litter. Heaven forbid they neuter the dog. No, it's better to leave the puppy chained outside without the love of her family. It's a huge problem here, too.

[adigal]

42. You can steal that dog - haha!! Just kidding. Kind of

I rescue dogs from your part of the world, the stories make my hair curl. Thank goodness I am opposed to violence, seriously. What people do to their dogs almost made me insane. Seriously. I had to really cut back.

[dixiegrrrrl]

47. the animal control officer here is a friend of mine.

She often drops by to "de-compress" all the yuk she has to carry around in her head.
From time to time she brings me orphaned birds, mammals, etc but I have to put my foot down on her showing me any puppies or kittens, we cannot afford one more long term pet.
And saying NO is VERY hard for me to do.

(unless she finds a Golden Retriever, of course)

[a la izquierda]

103. My husband knows that pain...

he absolutely refuses to do Animal Control ever again, even though he's well qualified and it usually pays pretty well, with benefits. He said he'd rather be homeless than have to put down perfectly good animals. When he was working for Animal Control way back when, he said he had nightmares every single night.

[kimi]

55. Ah, that's awful

When I lived in Cheyenne, in the country, I had a blue heeler. Smartest dog I ever had - and she'd been abused something fierce by her previous owner. Those are dogs who need a job, it's hell for them not to have something to do. I honestly believe there are NO bad dogs - there ARE bad owners.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. that makes me feel violent.

as a spiritual person, I do NOT know what to do with my fury at so-called "people" like this

Is there any noise about citizens starting a call for legislation to stop this abuse?

[dixiegrrrrl]

66. We are working on the animal control laws.

We just recently got a nuisance/noise ordinance passed ( that helps with constant barking issues)
and now are working on limiting the number of dogs that can be kept per household.
( We have animal hoarders here, as elsewhere).
And enforcing the dog tag ordinance.
"yard dogs" is a long long long standing "custom" in the rural south, won't be resolved quickly.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

60. this picture makes me want to cry

I hope that sweetie just got caught in a pensive moment.....

[pa28]

51. My new neigbor keeps a dog chained outside the house. All day every day.

It's this nice hound and he just sits there all day long waiting patiently. He gets walked once in a while and played with once in a while but that's it. Unfortunately I see all this out my office window and I can't stand it anymore. I'll have to talk to him or call the sheriff.

We had a nice dose of snow/ice last night and there he was at 6am when I went out to get the paper this morning.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

57. ....

Don't wait any longer. Talk to the fuckbrain and if it isn't changed the same day, call the sheriff.


Poor baby.

[pa28]

64. That's the idea.

It's bad enough the poor guy has been left outside. Until now we've at least had weather mild enough for him to be comfortable.



Great foot to start with your new neighbor but this is driving me up the wall.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

67. This is who the guy is

your neighbor I mean.

Sorry it's not the best start with a new neighbor, true, but it sounds like he's not the kind of person you'd be able to have a friendship with.

I just hope he doesn't react badly and make life rough.


best of luck!

[juajen]

71. My dog can jump over any fence. She actually can climb if necessary, but off she goes. She comes

back, but we have a leash law. I got ticketed twice when she jumped. She loves our whole family very much, but she and her litter mates were abandoned as puppies. I believe that might be why she hates to be confined behind a fence. She is also very afraid of storms. Any hint of rain and she is in my bedroom on her bed that I have placed under a table to make her feel more secure. I have a chain and will let her be in my front yard when I garden on her chain. Sometimes she wants to sunbathe outside and I use the chain. We are not far from a very busy highway and she heads for it every time she has ever gotten out. Please don't generalize about chains. Sometimes they are for the dog's protection. My puppy is rarely left alone, but when she is, she is inside, close to food and water and her beloved bed.

[pa28]

72. Believe me. I don't like generalizing and I'm trying to avoid it.

There is actually no fence in the yard. Just a chain.

I'm a big believer in minding your own business but it looks like this dog is being neglected. My stomach is going to churn until I do something about it. If you were here and saw what I did this morning I think you would agree.

[jsmirman]

76. I gotta tell you

call me nosy all you want or anything else, but I will always suck up my courage and have a conversation with the person.

Try to see if they can't change the way they are treating the animal, try to see if they wouldn't consider making some changes.

It helps that I'm not small, but I'm no giant. But they can see by the way I square my jaw that we're going to have a conversation. Call me crazy, but I am not afraid.

In fact, maybe it helps sometimes that they think I must be crazy, so when I'm reasonable in the way I go about discussing it, at least they seem to listen.

I can't say it will always work, but sometimes people just need to get the right thought put in their head.

[redqueen]

15. Love this.

[peacebird]

16. Exactly!

[maddezmom]

17. I just adopted a rescue dog a few months ago

and he continues to chew and destroy anything he can. The last being a pair of shoes I just purchased to replace the other ones he destroyed and then pooped everywhere. He's still one of my bestest friends and curls up in my lap at night like a cat. He needs to have a lot of excersise, plenty of things to chew on that are legal and lots of supervision. Kind of like both of my children that were also adopted, if I keep a good eye on them and are there for them I have a feeling they might stay out of trouble and if not I'll still love them. Forever is forever.

[Beacool]

34. You seem like a good mom to both your human and furry children.

Best of luck with all of them.

[nadine_mn]

79. We bought new furniture KNOWING that at some point

it would be chewed, puked on, pooped on etc. but we never, ever think of a "no pets on furniture rule".

Right now, our lab mix is stretched out on the love seat, drooling away on the microfiber suede cover because she pulled off the fabric couch protector (more like extra blanket) because she didn't like it. She throws the pillows off and fluffs the blankets like the sofa is hers. I have 3 pairs of pants with the pockets chewed out (my fault for forgetting I left treats in them after a walk).

Our dogs have had some crazy times - chewing, destroying, barking, escaping, - the bad behavior than can come from being a rescue or ahem... embarrassingly inconisistent owners who are trying to do better (thats us).

But never, ever, ever do we think that they are too much work for us or that we should give them up - they are forever!!

[lamp_shade]

20. I just posted it to facebook.

[hlthe2b]

21. Makes me cry...

As many know my precious Aussie/Lab girlie has been a miracle dog, surviving well past any likelihood (3 years to date) with abdominal cancer. I treasure every single day I have with her and it is an intense pleasure to think of things to do with her that will bring her joy and make her feel "special" (as she surely is). She still feels well enough to do lots that she did when younger--just a bit slower and gingerly. And seeing how she perks up and gets all sassy in her step when allowed to come into one of the dog friendly stores near me--just has me smiling no end. My miracle dog. I get a lump in my throat just pondering the day when I can't say that. How anyone can look on this most precious of gifts as anything but a lifetime commitment (and pleasure) just pains me.

Those who look upon pets as anything but the most wonderful blessing have one hell of a lot to learn.

[trueblue2007]

22. THANKS FOR POSTING. i'm a dog and cat lover

AWESOME PICTURE!!!!!

[Progressive dog]

24. Way it should be

I am not a roof carrier dog either.

[Withywindle]

25. K & R for truth.

When you adopt a pet, you're making a serious commitment. Like a marriage - except more so, because presumably your ex-spouse could survive on their own.

Dog-dumpers are lower than Newt Gingrich.

[fadedrose]

26. We got a rescue dog

and she may keep US till we get old. She's the boss.


I wonder if Gingrich's wives could've used a poster like this substituting wife for dog.....Somebody could make a bundle mass producing these things for a bigger market than those who get tired of their dogs.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Bravo!

[Bonhomme Richard]

28. My two rescue buddies.

The six year old and the pup. They are also best buds.
People that are not dog people have a tough time understanding.

[Beacool]

35. Lovely pooches!!!

Enjoy them.

[JI7]

29. Are there people who do this ?

yeah, understand rare cases like death or illness where you are unable to care for your pet and need someone else to do it.

but other than that people just using the dog for whatever reason and not wanting it anymore ?

how about the emotional attachment ? one reason i don't have a dog right now is because it was hard for me when we lost our dogs when i was young.

[spooky3]

49. having been involved in many rescues in 2 cities, I can tell you, definitely, sadly, YES

There are so many of them that there numbers help others feel less guilty, as in "it's ok, everyone does it."

[Lydia Leftcoast]

50. My cat was abandoned when his owners moved

My cousin found him meowing on her doorstep. She took him in to join her existing cat but then moved to a senior apartment complex where residents were allowed to have only one cat each.

He's been my forever cat for a little over three years, and he's a real sweetheart. I can't imagine anyone abandoning him.

[Prophet 451]

68. All the time, I'm afraid

According to the local chapter of teh Cats Protection League, it's incredibly common.

[Faygo Kid]

30. All my dogs have been forever dogs. 3 run over.

I am haunted forever by Tippy, Mitzi and Sasha, who all were run over when I was 13, 25 and 49, respectively. My many others lived the life they deserved, including Penny, Missy, Beebs and most of all Portia. They went to sleep when the time came. And now only Grindl is left - spoiled rotten and a beloved 12 year old.

[CrawlingChaos]

33. Can't believe they left out...

Until you have a baby dog.

You folks in animal rescue know what I'm talking about. Utterly heartless.

[Beacool]

36. The look on that pup's face just kills me.

He looks like he is so desperate to have someone take him home and make him his forever dog.

[Ruby the Liberal]

40. I could kick this all day.

Sitting here watching the game with my rescue sleeping in my lap, balancing the computer on the arm of the couch and typing with one hand - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[adigal]

41. Ha!!! I have done dog rescue for 5 years

pulling dogs from high kill southern shelters and bringing them up to NY. Even up here, with a good vet check and extensive application process, I get dogs returned. Three this month, which is a lot, I have to say. One: a divorce. Two: no time for high energy puppy. Third: woman got new asshole boyfriend, who has his own unneutered male, and the dog they had from us for two years had to go.

I love dogs. I don't love most people.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

56. sigh...me too

sad to say


"I love dogs animals. I don't love most people."

[jimlup]

43. My cat (who is one of the sweetest individual beings I know in the universe) was a stray...

She must have been abandoned by a student who moved. I live in an apartment complex with a lot of students. I just can't imagine how they could have abandoned her. But she's in a good home now.

[Kurmudgeon]

44. True for cats too!

[Demonaut]

45. forever

[MADem]

46. I can't believe how many dogs are "surrendered."

And when they're "senior dogs" it is so hard to get them placed.

The only excuse for not sticking with the dog is if you die first--and then, I would hope you'd have made someone promise to take the pooch.

And that's not just for pooches, it's for parrots, cats, whatever you've got in your home. Animals don't ask for the doggone drama.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

53. !

right!!

[spooky3]

48. and "until you have a baby" or "until you develop a serious illness"

Our rescue groups get the first a lot as an excuse for dumping cats, and the second happens more than it should.

[jsmirman]

78. until you have a baby nonsense makes me INSANE

those selfish fuckers obviously are the last people who should be populating this earth with more of their kind.

First of all, children who grow up around animals are less sensitive to allergies.

Second of all, believe me, the animal would much rather have less room to roam daily (if you need to portion off your space) than be suddenly without a home.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cats-and-babies.aspx

http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/humanpregnancy.htm

I think there are better articles than the above, these are just two I found quickly.

One of my friends has a friend who has zero compassion for animals. He wanted his girlfriend to get rid of her cat (for multiple reasons, all of which I thought sucked). We had a lengthy subway ride from Harlem all the way down to the lower East Side and it got heated, as I basically told him that I thought he was a POS.

I saw my friends the other night (they make sure me and this other guy are never in the same place) and they said he still calls me, "cat guy." I said that they should let him know that I call him "douchebag."

[stuntcat]

92. yes, it should say "until you have a baby"

Last edited Mon Jan 23, 2012, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

I've heard so many times of dogs and cats being dumped at shelters because of this.

Last week someone was telling me online of two nice dogs being left at the shelter where they volunteer. The woman who brought them said that was why, they were too busy with their new baby.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

52. Shrimpy and I are proud to be rec #100.

This is Shrimpy with me i the sig pic.

My darling baby.

[Honeycombe8]

54. Damn straight! nt

[Bigmack]

58. Looking back....

ALL my dogs were/are "forever" dogs. Every one.

[Snarkoleptic]

65. Yep! Got me a couple of rescue poi dogs and a couple of rescue cats as well.

All spayed or neutered.
Dogs go apeshit with excitement whenever I walk indoors, doesn't matter if I've been outside an hour or gone for a week.
Either way, it's a great welcome.

[Prophet 451]

70. All my cats have been forever

We've had six so far. Mac died at two of a heart condition, Jelli died of a stroke, Sandy died of stomach cancer and Suki passed away of old age at fifteen. The current two, Lily and Cracker, are chasing one another around the living room.

[Rhiannon12866]

74. I've adopted older dogs and I've wished I could have kept all of them forever.

Your point is very well taken. All of my guys were somewhere else before they found me.

[Rob H.]

75. I got my cat from a local rescue organization

who got her after her owners moved out of the long-stay hotel they were living in and just left her behind. Summer's such a great cat I have a hard time even comprehending how someone could do that to her. Luckily for us both, though, she's with me now and I love her to bits and spoil her rotten every chance I get.

Summer's gorgeous eyes:

[AtomicKitten]

77. Yes indeed. Forever.

Thanks for posting this important message.

[Jennicut]

80. I did adopt a rescue dog.

It was two years ago. Jake was a beautiful black lab and I really wanted to keep him. He was an abused dog and was told his previous owner hit him, which is terrible. Unfortunately, he became aggressive. I couldn't walk him down the street as he was very aggressive with other dogs and sometimes people. He growled at my daughters who were only 4 and 5 and then one day he charged my 5 year old and almost bit her but my husband stopped him. We eventually had to give him back to the shelter and he got some training and help. He was adopted out again and then ended up biting his next owner. Jake ended up living back at the shelter as the owner's dog. I guess it is better then being put down. If it was just me and I felt I could control him I would have kept him. It really is terrible the way people just don't even think about abusing an animal. I tried again with a rescued cat and that worked out great and my red tabby Daisy is totally a part of the family.

[shireen]

102. it's hard ....

Dogs and people have to be carefully matched.

Dogs with issues need to be adopted or fostered by people who have the knowledge and time to work with the animal. They're not for everyone, especially families with small kids. Shelters need to be more aware of this when they adopt out dogs (cats are a bit more manageable).

I'm really sorry the lab didn't work out for you, and glad he's now with someone who knows how to handle him.

My friend's kid had a similar experience twice. The first one had cat aggression issues that they could not fix. The second one was fine at first, then started to get aggressive towards them. They tried training, had her checked out for medical problem and had her on some skin medications. Unfortunately, things got really stressful at home and my friend's kid had to make the heartbreaking decision to return her. If she can't handle the dog, it does not belong with her. Period. She had good reasons for returning the dogs, as did you. (She's now doing well with a young hound mix that's a better match for her personality.)

[pokerfan]

82. How could you?

[center]How Could You?

Copyright Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved[/center]

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

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 happy because you were happy. 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 love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked 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. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please 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 love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "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 changed your mind - that this was all a bad 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 happy 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 aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, 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 love had run out of days. As is my nature, 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 every 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 years 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, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. 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 meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

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

The End

http://jimwillis0.tripod.com/tiergarten/id21.html

[TicketyBoo]

83. Having just had a dog die on the 5th of this month,

I can't bear to read this entire thread.

They are almost like children to us. Grieving here.

[me b zola]

84. Amen

[magical thyme]

85. I rescued my furever horse at age 4

he will turn 27 in May, if he makes it.

[DonCoquixote]

86. sigh

I know this, especially as my sister got sicvk, had to move in, and my father outright refuses to let her stay...IF I had my way, she would be a forever dog...excuse me whiole I cry and reflect on this fucking economy.

[DonCoquixote]

89. what sucks is

People will not be like the self centered yuppie here, there are many who love their dogs that are being pushed out of their homes, and are forced to abandon the dogs or become homeless themselves.

[Broderick]

87. Have four

All of them shelter dogs. One was returned twice and on it's last day 11 years ago. She is such a doll and still spry as can be.

[redqueen]

91. Mind if I save that and share it on facebook?

It's so good..

[The Straight Story]

93. That's where I got it

[redqueen]

94. Yay!

?w=490

[Blue_Tires]

95. true...

[Uncle Joe]

96. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, The Straight Story.

[marmar]

97. I like that term.....

CBET TV-9, a television station across the river in Windsor, Ontario, does a Pet of the Week segment on its evening news broadcasts highlighting a pet in need of adoption. They make the point of saying the pet is in need of a "forever" home.

[Leopolds Ghost]

98. This is a good graphic. Who created it?

[The Straight Story]

99. Not sure, friend on FB posted it (nt)

[suzyqch]

106. Created by the Calgary Humane Society - Canada

I know the 2 amazingly creative young ladies who developed these ads. They work at the Calgary Humane Society in Canada. Have a look at the entire series - they are fantastic.

I'm not sure if this will work but here's a link to Calgary Humane Society's fb page. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.303959259645261.68116.124316117609577&type=3 If it doesn't work, then search for Calgary Humane Society in facebook, click on "photos", then click on "Animal Ads". I definitely agree that they should be shared far and wide but also know that we should give credit where credit is due. The originals have the Calgary Humane Society logo on them - which others have somehow deleted when copying them. Cheers, Suzy!

[Liberal_in_LA]

100. awww.