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How Could You?
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Copyright © Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved
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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, especially 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.
In memory of Holly, the Bassett Hound who inspired Jim Willis to
write this piece after she was adopted at 10 years of age. Holly
found her final rest at the age of 14 on Valentine’s Day, 2003.
Good bye Holly, and thank you for bringing the plight of seniors
to the attention of so many. You can download HCY from the sample
writings at the author’s web site, www.crean.com/jimwillis.
Won't you consider adopting a senior today? |
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The State of the Doberman in the UK
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by Jean Stewart |
Most will be familiar with the general history of the Dobermann and
the breed being officially given the name Dobermannpinscher (one word) in 1889.
In the United Kingdom the breed is known as the Dobermann and is, in the main
kept for show or pet with the first registrations being made as early as 1909.
Serious breeding began in 1947 though the breed didn't become generally popular
until the 1960's. Colours most often seen are black/rust, red/rust. Tails are
docked, ears are natural and cropping of any breed is not permitted
in the UK having been abolished by the Kennel Club in 1903. Much
discussion now rumbles regarding tail docking, a practise which
some believe to be both barbaric and unnecessary; veterinarians
continue to dock because in the hands of amateurs it could be
disastrous for the dog.
Along with other powerful breeds the Dobermann has sadly acquired a
fearful reputation as a 'killer' dog. who will attack at whim. He
suffered an unfortunate period in his status by being the must have
accessory among the criminal classes leading to the inevitable back
street breeding and many sad and poor examples of the breed were
much in evidence. This period is largely at an end and genuine
breeders have done well in re-establishing the breed. Abolition of
quarantine between UK and the rest of Europe has enabled breeders
to import dogs from top winning lines and we now have stronger and
healthier examples of the Dobermann. It is to the credit of these
breeders that a national register has now been compiled to identify
carriers of Von Willebrand's disease along with eye and hip scores.
While UK citizens are regarded as a nation of dog lovers, statistics
show that during 2002 in Scotland alone there were 9,513 cases of
cruelty towards animals. All welfare organisations and shelters
are supported by public donation and receive no government funding
to assist in rehoming the unfortunates who enter their gates.
Breed rescue organisations retrieve as many of their breed as
possible but kennel space remains in short supply.
Dobermann Rescue UK came into being in 1967 taking in mostly dogs
who have been neglected, sold to the wrong owners or have served
their time, dogs with problems both health and behavioural, strays
and dogs rescued from shelters. Fortunately little is seen of
straightforward abuse or bait dogs, not that these cases don't
exist they don't find their way onto 'rescue.' Male dobes seem to
have the biggest problem having had owners who know nothing of the
nature of the breed and who are frankly unable to adequately train
a dominant male. While most rescue cases are found new homes there
are some who, for no fault of their own, cannot be rehomed and no dog is
euthanazed except for health reasons. This is why the Sponsadobe
scheme was introduced in 1988, the idea being that those who were
devoted to Dobermanns but were unable to own one could be directly
involved by sponsoring one of the kennel dogs. Sponsors are
encouraged to visit and walk the dog which has caught their eye
and contribute towards the general upkeep. Contributions also
help substantially towards medical costs of the Sponsadobes.
All of the long term dogs appear happy in the kennels and bond well
with their carers. Another scheme is ROAD for the Rehoming Of
Ageing Dobermanns. Rescue relies heavily on the kind generosity of
kennel owners who have been willing to allot a certain amount of
space in their kennels in return for a token payment. The Rescue
magazine is published twice yearly and carries news of the
Sponsadobes and reports from rescue officers from the different
regions. Owners of rescue babes are encouraged to send in progress
reports and members contribute poems, medical information, etc.
Funds are raised by means of the sale of dobermann related
merchandise by mail order or from the rescue stand at dog shows
around the country. Members of the group organise fetes,
barbecues, fun runs, dobermann days out and in fact anything
which In more recent years the threat of BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
is causing a great deal of concern among the owners of certain
breeds (including the Dobermann). This has been brought about by a
spate of sensational media reporting on dog attacks particularly in
Germany. Discrimination has already led to the eradication in 1997 of the American
Pit Bull Terrier from UK. Import was banned, all animals had to be
neutered in order that no further breeding would occur, dogs had to
be kept muzzled while out in public, breaches of the new law led to
confiscation and usually the dog was euthanazed.
The European Parliament have put the act on back burner - for now,
but were the UK to be outvoted at European level we could be forced
to accept the new laws that will penalise dogs and dog ownership
far, far more than existing UK legislation.
It is more important to educate the public on responsible dog
ownership than to target certain breeds. There are over 10
million dogs in the UK and it is vital that we address the route
of the problem it is not the fault of the dog. |
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