All the sad, dogs needing homes posts reminded me of this....

nijinsky

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www.xaraymax.co.uk
I posted this before but a very long time ago.

Have your tissues ready:

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 belly rub.
My housebreaking 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 and 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've 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 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, 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 good-bye 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 realised 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 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 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 dog speak, 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

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 directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty

This story written by '' Joyce '' is so true to life for many many dogs, if you can help by giving a rescue dog a loving, secure home for life please do, it could mean everything and you may make the difference between life and death to a super dog who has done nothing but love it's family
 
That end bit was horrible, I have not cried in a long time...., mostly vented anger and frustration...... I have become so hardened to these god forsaken situations, but Im sobbing now
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And my dog is in for a big op today...thats making me worse
 
Oh
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That is so sad
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And a bit too soon after having Talisker PTS, I know all about the needle going in
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I must not cry, I am at work......
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I've read it before and it made me cry then too. I try and convince myself that we give dogs emotions that they're not capable of feeling but having been at the end with several of my dogs I know that look.

I really do need to go to the shelter and rescue another dog now
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So sad... looking at Boris, he's very lucky dog. We come as package. He'll never go anywhere without me for as long we live.

Before I bought Boris, I spent alot of time considering the suitations in case of any problems arises to ensure that my dog (any dog) would avoid going to the pound/rescue homes.

I wish i could do more for those who needs love and warm bed.
 
So, so so, sad but what a beautifully written piece. I am in floods of tears. My consolation is that I have 2 re homed dogs who I know will have a place for life---in fact-they are my life.
 
Am sat here in floods of tears- read that a few times now and on every ocasion it always has the same effect.
A heartbreaking but wonderful,well written piece.
 
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i knew i shouldnt have read that as am now in floods of tears
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we were talking the other day how we would like to rehome a dog from a rescue but not sure of we have the right lifestyle
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Lots of people with ideal lifestyles have dogs and shouldn't, lots of people with not ideal lifestyles have dogs and love them unconditionally. Would yours be so very much worse than living in kennels or being PTS?
 
Wish I hadn't read it - brought back memories of my 2 darling girls I lost a month ago - one came from the dog pound, the othr was found beaten and left for dead in a skip. I had a wonderful 12 years with them. Then little Shanzee collapsed and died out on a walk, and a couple of days later, I had Abby PTS because she was so distressed. Shanzee was about 13, Abby was a fair bit older. At least they knew i loved them very much.
 
I too have read that many times before, but still makes me cry. My "girls" are such a huge part of our family (even though I could do without the overpowering smell of wet dog at this moment), yet so many dogs are treated like this. So sad
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Just read this for the first time. What a powerful piece of writing. Have got tears rolling down my face.

My 2 dogs are rehomed ones. They have a home with me and my family for life
 
That is very sad.

I have just been to Battersea today for the first time ever - I have never seen so many homeless dogs all in one place - 470, I think she said! And getting on for half staffies or staffie X.
 
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