I STOLE YOUR DOG TODAY
Copyright Jim Willis 2002
I stole your dog today. No, I didn't set a foot on your property, but from the condition of your dog, I can imagine what it looks like...the word "junkyard" comes to mind.
I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding. Not only did I know that most of the town had already ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods the "cross" that she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her. The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide to shoot one for trespassing.
That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that her overall condition was poor and that her coat and eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn't deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed) dog matching her description and to see if you'd placed a "lost dog" advertisement in the local newspaper. You hadn't, which I can only surmise means that you do not miss her. That's rather convenient, because the fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated, and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring her health could cost me around a thousand dollars.
Perhaps it may be some small comfort to know that she doesn't miss you. In fact, her very act of escape made it clear that she'd had enough of your brand of pet guardianship. It took her about a day to realize that I'm not you, that I won't hurt her, that despite our brief acquaintanceship, I love her. It took two days for her to realize that the other animals who live here accept her and that one of the joys she has been missing has been the companionship of other dogs. It took three days for her to appreciate the ecstasy of a home cooked meal and that a couch is meant to be reclined on, and that she no longer has to sleep outside - in fact, when the thunder starts, she'll get a hug and her ears rubbed, and I'll make a fool of myself with baby talk.
She has a beautiful name now. Already in the first week she has come to look more like she should. Her eyes sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in greeting. She has stopped flinching when I make a sudden movement, because she knows now that I won't beat her, in fact, she rarely leaves my side. She's even become brave enough to bark at a cat and today I watched from the window as she initiated play with the other dogs. No, it's clear she does not miss you or her former life of neglect on a chain.
Of all the things that have become apparent from my brief relationship with her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their wonderful ability to heal and to trust, the fact that love can work miracles - one of the most apparent is what a fool you are. She was possibly the
most trusting, loyal and loving being in your life, and you consigned her to a life of filth and loneliness until she made the best choice she's ever made when she broke free. Perhaps her guardian angel helped her escape. Lest anyone should mistake me for an angel, I will admit that one day I hope to be as good as she; I believe she forgave you within the first twenty-four hours of her new life for the about four years of her previous "life," while I still wrestle with the part of me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.
It's not clear yet whether she'll remain here or whether I'll find her a loving home where she can count on more individual attention than I can give her, but one thing is certain, this is one bit of stolen "property" who is never returning to you. So sue me, prosecute me, plead with
the courts that she is rightfully yours...I'm convinced this is the best "crime" I've ever committed. Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day I stole your dog. I need only look into her beautiful brown eyes to know that she'd defend my decision with her life. If we have one prayer, it is that you will not replace her, and if we have one special day to commemorate together, it is the day I stole your dog and the day she stole my heart.
Feel free to pass this on or cross-post.
Two entirely opposite Beagle sisters share stories about life, love and happiness in their everyday quest for escapade.
Showing posts with label Adoption and Rescue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoption and Rescue. Show all posts
Happy Ending #2
Southern Belle-------Kate Crnich convinced her husband that they were ready for a new addition to the family—a dog to complete the home they shared with their cat, Dexter. “We visited a local shelter, and there were so many dogs that I was nearly in tears,” says Kate. “How do you choose just one?”
-------But sometimes, it’s the dog who does the choosing. “Walking past one cage, I saw this little thing bouncing up and down,” says Kate. “When we got right in front of the door, she just stopped, sat down, cocked her head and looked up at us, big pointy ears sticking straight up.” And after learning about the history of this Boston terrier/American Staffordshire terrier mix, the little dog’s friendly nature was especially remarkable.
Explains Kate, “When she was dropped off, her legs had a multitude of cigarette burns on them, and it was suspected that she’d been kept on a chain for the first years of her life.” Shelter staffers surmise that she was being used for bait in a dog fighting ring. Needless to say, Kate and her husband were on their way home with their little livewire half an hour later.
-------It’s been nearly a year, and Raleigh—named after the Crnichs’ native North Carolina—couldn’t be any more loving. “She is truly our baby,” says Kate. “She makes us feel so loved every day, and it is so very clear in the way that she looks at us that she is grateful for her happy home. ”
-------But sometimes, it’s the dog who does the choosing. “Walking past one cage, I saw this little thing bouncing up and down,” says Kate. “When we got right in front of the door, she just stopped, sat down, cocked her head and looked up at us, big pointy ears sticking straight up.” And after learning about the history of this Boston terrier/American Staffordshire terrier mix, the little dog’s friendly nature was especially remarkable.
Explains Kate, “When she was dropped off, her legs had a multitude of cigarette burns on them, and it was suspected that she’d been kept on a chain for the first years of her life.” Shelter staffers surmise that she was being used for bait in a dog fighting ring. Needless to say, Kate and her husband were on their way home with their little livewire half an hour later.
-------It’s been nearly a year, and Raleigh—named after the Crnichs’ native North Carolina—couldn’t be any more loving. “She is truly our baby,” says Kate. “She makes us feel so loved every day, and it is so very clear in the way that she looks at us that she is grateful for her happy home. ”
The Starfish Story
The Starfish StoryOnce upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference to that one."
Happy Ending #1
Music, sweet music...
-------Beautiful eyes and a smattering of freckles drew Marianne Lordi of Youngstown, OH, to the online photo of a two-year-old beagle-collie mix. What she couldn’t tell from the picture was that the canine had been saved within minutes of her life. Says Marianne, “Her time was up at the pound when the owner of Canine Crusaders, a local dog rescue, paid her fee and posted her photo online, hoping to find her a special home.”
------- Well, it worked! Marianne swooned over the photo and when she went to visit, the pup swooned right back. The dog shyly settled down at Marianne’s feet and rolled onto her back, staring up at her new human friend. “I couldn’t resist,” says Marianne. “I named her Banjo because she made my heart sing.”
-------Marianne’s choice was confirmed when, at home, the pup cast her gentle spell over the family pets. “Banjo made friends with my two Westies immediately,” remembers Marianne. No sooner was the pooch running around the yard with her new friends than the family’s ten-year-old cat walked over and began to give her kisses. “Banjo just sat there, letting the old boy check her out,” Marianne recalls. “That was all I needed to see!”
------- Nowadays, the furry charmer continues to expertly play the family’s heartstrings. “Although the dogs are both smaller than she is, Banjo always lets them win when they’re playing,” says Marianne. “She’s so gentle, even the cat plays with her.”
------- But don’t be fooled—this little virtuoso also sings to another tune. “She found out quickly that if she sat upright and begged, we would give her a treat,” Marianne informs us with a smile. “Now when we tell her that she’s had enough, she sits straight up and waits, knowing we can't resist her.”
------- Well, it worked! Marianne swooned over the photo and when she went to visit, the pup swooned right back. The dog shyly settled down at Marianne’s feet and rolled onto her back, staring up at her new human friend. “I couldn’t resist,” says Marianne. “I named her Banjo because she made my heart sing.”
-------Marianne’s choice was confirmed when, at home, the pup cast her gentle spell over the family pets. “Banjo made friends with my two Westies immediately,” remembers Marianne. No sooner was the pooch running around the yard with her new friends than the family’s ten-year-old cat walked over and began to give her kisses. “Banjo just sat there, letting the old boy check her out,” Marianne recalls. “That was all I needed to see!”
------- Nowadays, the furry charmer continues to expertly play the family’s heartstrings. “Although the dogs are both smaller than she is, Banjo always lets them win when they’re playing,” says Marianne. “She’s so gentle, even the cat plays with her.”
------- But don’t be fooled—this little virtuoso also sings to another tune. “She found out quickly that if she sat upright and begged, we would give her a treat,” Marianne informs us with a smile. “Now when we tell her that she’s had enough, she sits straight up and waits, knowing we can't resist her.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)