Not so Happy Tail
From a Pet Store Puppy
by J. Ellis © 1999 This is an educational
piece about backyard breeders.
I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and
dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and
her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any
milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying,
and I missed them so. I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was
so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should
have been with Mom still,but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying
that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and
my sister made.
So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just
the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands
came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are
in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some
that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage,
I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little
humans', the kids. they look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with
me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit
the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be
held or shown to humans. Some are gentle some hurt us, we always hear
"Aw they are So cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with
any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head
on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard
them say she was sick, and that I should be sold as a "discount price"
so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the
only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in
the morning and dumped.
Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day!
They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought
a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I
love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am!
I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans! The family takes such
good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach
me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to
please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running
and playing with her. Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange
place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little
girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed.
The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully
sad. I heard Severe hip dysplacia, and something about my heart... I heard
the vet say something about, back yard breeders and my parents not being
tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see
my family so sad. but they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy,
It hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to
run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe.
I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be,
but it is so hard. it breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and
to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time".
Several times I have been to that veterinarians place, and the news is
never good. Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel
the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family. Last night
was the worst, Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even
to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain.
I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know
why. have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong?
Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of
the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only
whine in pain. the veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened.
The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel
their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the
vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of
relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for
giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is
beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can
now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see
my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They
tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family,
good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle
of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was
not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian "Pet
shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now,
and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again.
If only things could have been different.
There are no puppies--this is an educational post only. (This story may be published or reprinted in
the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only
for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
Happy Tails
Maggie
I know that we have only had Maggie for 3 weeks now, but she has made a great addition to our family and I want to share that with you. She has been to, and loves going to Josh's baseball games. She was even the mascot for the opening game. I have attached the picture that the local sports reporter took of her at the game. Josh finished putting up the fence, so Maggie now gets to run around the yard without being tied on the leash. She is also beginning to play with a tennis ball.
I should get back to work. Thank you for all that you do!
Jessie
HI, we adopted Jessie from you in July and I thought I might email you
some pics of her. The dog appearing in some of the pics is "Max"
a Lab/Beagle mix (1 1/2 years old) and the cat is "Oreo" (almost
2 years old), both of which are also rescue animals.
Thank you for Jessie!!
Please enjoy and share with your staff,
Terry
Kathy, Gabby, other staff & all volunteers,
Please attach this letter to the one my mom just emailed you.
Hello, this is Jessie. Shhh, please don't tell my mom that I am using
her email address, I just had to email you!! I am soooo happy in my new
home. I am getting my new humans trained so well, they don't know what
has hit them! There is another cat here and a dog, they might take a bit
more work, though I am sure I will succeed.
Oops, mom just walked in and she said she forgot to let Kathy know she
appreciates the assistance given via phone and emails. Kathy was soo patient
answering my mom's questions over the phone all week long. Also, please
give kudos to Gabby and the rest of the staff/volunteers on the Saturday
afternoon my humans adopted me. Mom said they were so nice & courteous
to her and my new 2-legged brother & sister.
Big kisses to everyone at the shelter, you were so nice to me and the
other kitties while I was a resident there. Please enjoy the pics mom
just emailed you
Thanks again !!
Jessie
|
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter
2299 235th Street
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Phone: 641-673-3991
Email: smasadoptions@mahaska.org
SMAS Pet List
|
