I HATE

[AKA_Monet]

So my husband and I got into this discussion about domesticated animals knowing when to stop breeding and limit their populations naturally, like wild animals do... The issue is "predation"--domesticated animals are not predators.. Yes they may bite and attack without warning--but the tracking and seeking food like real predators do, does not happen in domesticated animals. They just have sex and make litters of babies... That is all they do--more mouths to feed. They do not stop. That is why all the animal people are saying please, please, please spay and neuter your pets...

As far as predators go, their populations are controls at neonate stage. Maybe 1 out of 10 neonates survive to juvenile stage. Most get killed, eaten or their ecosystem changes. That is why some major predators have problems.

Also we humans have stuck some interesting stuff in our environments, it not that hard for certain predators to learn how to get food without having to hunt or catch it... I dunno, but from what I hear, there are fewer predators that like "live kill" than there are that straight out scavenge for food. Basically, the predators we all know and love, are lazy and like to scavenge their food rather than catch it...

[WVU alpha phi]

People who abandon animals absolutely disgust me. When I was at the pound adopting my dog, this woman walks in and says she needs to leave her dog because she andher boyfriend just moved into an apartment that doesnt take pets. Who moves into a new place that wouldnt allow you to bring your dog? They told her she had a sign a waiver acknowledging that in all likelihood her dog would be put down, and the woman looked surprised. Idiot. The sad thing was when I walked out to my car, the poor dog was in the back of van barking like crazy (probably from North Carolina heat in June).

I just tell myself anyone who abandons or abuses animals goes to hell.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

People who abandon animals absolutely disgust me. When I was at the pound adopting my dog, this woman walks in and says she needs to leave her dog because she andher boyfriend just moved into an apartment that doesnt take pets. Who moves into a new place that wouldnt allow you to bring your dog? They told her she had a sign a waiver acknowledging that in all likelihood her dog would be put down, and the woman looked surprised. Idiot. The sad thing was when I walked out to my car, the poor dog was in the back of van barking like crazy (probably from North Carolina heat in June).

I just tell myself anyone who abandons or abuses animals goes to hell.

I see what you're saying...but I also have sympathy for people who are forced to give up their pets. You ask why they moved into an apartment that doesn't allow pets - did you consider the fact that with the economy being so down, they may have had to find a cheaper apartment? Most cheap apartments do not allow any pets, let alone dogs.

All I'm saying is you can't judge them without knowing the whole situation.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I'll never forget one summer driving through South Carolina - a little kitten (about maybe 4 weeks old) in the middle of the road. It was almost hit by an 18 wheeler. I stopped the car and got it - so tiny, and totally covered with fleas. This was in the middle of NOWHERE. Someone must have dropped off a pregnant cat or the kittens. I went to the first store I could find, and asked the person behind the counter if she could take it to the shelter. She very rudely said no, why don't you? Well, I'm already running late for getting my daughters to camp. Going back 45 minutes and trying to find a shelter in a city I don't know wasn't very feasible. Luckily, the lady behind me heard our tale of woe, and took the kitten. She said that once her children saw it, it would probably not make it to the shelter because they would keep it.

While I understand what you're saying, what was the cashier supposed to do with the kitten, exactly? I mean, she's at work - she can't just leave to go take the kitten to the animal shelter, or keep the kitten behind the counter. She'd be fired ...

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

While I understand what you're saying, what was the cashier supposed to do with the kitten, exactly? I mean, she's at work - she can't just leave to go take the kitten to the animal shelter, or keep the kitten behind the counter. She'd be fired ...

If I were her, I would have called someone to come and take the kitten. (Maybe the county animal control, or the ASPCA/Humane Society?)At the very least, I would have been sympathetic to the plight of the kitten, and tried to help the Good Samaritan who had rescued it. I would not have been rude, or dismissive - heck, putting it in a box in the back until she got off work with some water would have worked. My point is - she didn't care.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

So my husband and I got into this discussion about domesticated animals knowing when to stop breeding and limit their populations naturally, like wild animals do...

Open up a hunting season on cats?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Open up a hunting season on cats?

I am trying very hard not say a trite comment... GC is now so sensitive, these days. I just love the repartee...

[honeychile]

“How Could You?”
Copyright Jim Willis 2001
tiergartenjim@yahoo.com
http://www.crean.com/jimwillis

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 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

“How Could You?” is included in a book of Jim’s collected writings, “Pieces of My Heart – Writings Inspired by My Life with Animals,” published March 2002 in both the USA and UK. All rescues and organizations may order the book at the same quantity discount that booksellers receive. See the book’s website: http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/. The book is now also available from amazon.com in the US and amazon.co.UK in England. Please ask your local bookseller to consider stocking the book and perhaps create a display of other animal-related titles.

We automatically grant all not-for-profit uses of “HCY?” and respectfully request that everyone who uses it includes a mention of the book in their publication/distribution, especially about the fundraising discount, which has already earned significant amounts of money for shelters and rescue efforts. (A jpeg of the book’s cover is available at the above site, if you require a higher resolution, please write: tiergartenjim@yahoo.com.

Dear Friends –
“How Could You?” was written as my attempt to change some minds among the general public and their perception of animals as disposable. “HCY?” has been translated and published in twenty foreign languages. If you distribute the essay or wish to publish it, please use the complete text, and please retain the title, my byline, copyright notice, my e-mail address and the URL for the book.

I have had to decline requests from newsletter editors who wished to edit it down because of space limitations. The essay was carefully considered as I wrote it and shortening it will dilute its impact.

Was “How Could You?” inspired by a real dog? Yes, but a dog with a happy ending. Although I’ve been just as frustrated for three decades as you are by the mass dumping of animals and how they are often regarded, it took a nine-year-old Basset Hound, “Holly Golightly,” rescued by us on her last day from a kill shelter, to inspire me to write it. I call “Holly” my muse, and she will have a good home with us for the rest of her life.

On behalf of the millions of pets who have lived and died in circumstances similar to the dog in “How Could You?” – I thank you for placing the message where those who need to read it most may do so. Please help tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Thank you and we wish you good success with your own efforts on behalf of animals.
Jim Willis
The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust, USA & Germany

[ktbug10474]

that is sad. i teared up when i read the end of it. i feel horrible for the people that have to put down the animals.


and to the person who asked if i knew it was a somebody. yes i did know it was a somebody because the dog had a collar on with it's name and number of its house and i called the number and it had been disconnected.

Originally Posted by honeychile

“How Could You?”
Copyright Jim Willis 2001
tiergartenjim@yahoo.com
http://www.crean.com/jimwillis

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 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

“How Could You?” is included in a book of Jim’s collected writings, “Pieces of My Heart – Writings Inspired by My Life with Animals,” published March 2002 in both the USA and UK. All rescues and organizations may order the book at the same quantity discount that booksellers receive. See the book’s website: http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/. The book is now also available from amazon.com in the US and amazon.co.UK in England. Please ask your local bookseller to consider stocking the book and perhaps create a display of other animal-related titles.

We automatically grant all not-for-profit uses of “HCY?” and respectfully request that everyone who uses it includes a mention of the book in their publication/distribution, especially about the fundraising discount, which has already earned significant amounts of money for shelters and rescue efforts. (A jpeg of the book’s cover is available at the above site, if you require a higher resolution, please write: tiergartenjim@yahoo.com.

Dear Friends –
“How Could You?” was written as my attempt to change some minds among the general public and their perception of animals as disposable. “HCY?” has been translated and published in twenty foreign languages. If you distribute the essay or wish to publish it, please use the complete text, and please retain the title, my byline, copyright notice, my e-mail address and the URL for the book.

I have had to decline requests from newsletter editors who wished to edit it down because of space limitations. The essay was carefully considered as I wrote it and shortening it will dilute its impact.

Was “How Could You?” inspired by a real dog? Yes, but a dog with a happy ending. Although I’ve been just as frustrated for three decades as you are by the mass dumping of animals and how they are often regarded, it took a nine-year-old Basset Hound, “Holly Golightly,” rescued by us on her last day from a kill shelter, to inspire me to write it. I call “Holly” my muse, and she will have a good home with us for the rest of her life.

On behalf of the millions of pets who have lived and died in circumstances similar to the dog in “How Could You?” – I thank you for placing the message where those who need to read it most may do so. Please help tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Thank you and we wish you good success with your own efforts on behalf of animals.
Jim Willis
The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust, USA & Germany

[scbelle]

Honey, you just made me cry... and snuggle up to my beloved bulldog a little closer. We "rescued" him when his owner had to deploy and his wife and kids were moving back to the states to live with her mom who had no room for a dog.

We watched the Oprah a few months ago that discussed puppy mills and pet stores and have vowed that any animal we take in, it will come from a shelter. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Spay and neuter those pets, adopt from shelters or rescue missions... and if you find yourself in a situation where you have to part with your pet, try all means necessary to find it a good home before you take it to a shelter.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I see what you're saying...but I also have sympathy for people who are forced to give up their pets. You ask why they moved into an apartment that doesn't allow pets - did you consider the fact that with the economy being so down, they may have had to find a cheaper apartment? Most cheap apartments do not allow any pets, let alone dogs.

All I'm saying is you can't judge them without knowing the whole situation.

You make it work. I know many people who moved further out, got roommates, whatever. People who sold their designer bags that were a month's rent. People who lived on ramen to buy good dog food. And you can find cheap apartments that take pets, even large breed dogs, it just takes time. It's a member of the family. You don't dump your kid, you don't dump your pet.

No one is "Forced" to give up their pets, they just don't try.

[SWTXBelle]

Just yesterday my mom took in a dog that wasn't being abused, per se. He was fed (not enough - he's very skinny), but that was about it. He's been left largely to his own devices . He's a 7 month old border collie. If you know border collies, you know they are very intelligent and need "work" to do - if they don't have it, they invent it. Poor Spark is so sweet - but scared of his own shadow. Luckily, he and my boxer Kaiser are great buds. Kaiser is showing him the ropes, and Spark seems to be relaxing a little bit.
I waited years to get my dog - waited until I had the time to give to a puppy, and researched breeds so I knew what I was getting into with a boxer. I bought him from a family - and I got to see his mom, his aunt, and some cousins. He came from a home much like the one he would have with us. My daughter had actually wanted a border collie, but I knew I didn't have the time to train and work with one like I should. What was the guy who bought Spark thinking, indeed.

[ZetaGirl22]

I've read that article before.........it makes me cry EVERY TIME! What people do to animals makes me sick. We have 4, one cat, Ziggy, from the pound, one cat, Harley, who was a feral kitten, Molly, our lab who was left in a backyard 24-7 in sub zero temperatures the winter we rescued her, and Murphy, an American Bulldog who started out as a foster but ended up a forever friend. I will ALWAYS get rescues, even though dealing with some of the behavior problems that comes with older mistreated dogs is quite difficult sometimes.

[WCsweet<3]

I just started bawling! Thanks Honeychile...
I wanted to work at the humane society but I cried the first day. I could never give up my dog or future dogs! My kids will grow up with dogs just like I did!

I'm need tissues now...

[honeychile]

We've been adopted by a family of feral cats. It started out with just a cat having kittens under our shed, and now there's at least six who consider our deck home. Half of them are Siamese - who on earth puts a Siamese out on the street?? We're obviously feeding them, and trying to socialize them, which is a riot, considering that we're all allergic to cats.

We got one of them to the vet last week, and he had conjuctivitis of the eyes, an upper respiratory disease, and sores in his mouth. He's only five months old, but gorgeous - Siamese with amber points, very soft fur. So, we kept him in a cage this past week, giving him medication, and yesterday, got him neutered. He's still recuperating from that (physically and emotionally) for a week.

Why I'm posting this is because we called ten different vets to find out how much it would cost to get "the herd" vetted & neutered, and the lowest price per cat was over $100. The six from our deck are just the tip of the iceberg - there's another ten or so who are still around, just not on our deck. We went back to our dog's vet, and made a deal with them. It's a national chain, VCA, but they were willing to make a deal! We bring the cats to be vetted, and they will run the standard tests. If they have feline leukemia, aids, chlymidia (who knew?) or any other potentially fatal disease, they will be put down. Otherwise, the cost for all of their shots and neutering will be roughly $50. They fell in love with Luke, and are letting us put up posters to find them homes.

So, even if you're used to dealing with a national vet, try to make a deal. It won't work for a cat or two, but it probably will for a "herd" like we have. Good luck!