I don’t remember much from the place I was born.It was cramped and
dark and we were never played with by 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 my sister and I
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 us or to 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 whine. I see humans looking at me, I like the “little
humans”, they look like they’d be fun, like they would play with me!

All day we are kept 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 at a “discount
price” so that I would quickly leave the store. I softly whined to
mourn for her as they took her body out
of the cage in the morning, I wondered where they put her?

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 from 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 didn’t know what any
of this meant, just that it hurt me to see my family so sad. But they
still loved me, and I still loved them very much!!!

I am now 6 months old. Where most of the 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 her mom and dad talk about, it might
now be the time. Several times I have gone to the Veterinarians
place. I just wanted 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 have
to stop because of the pain.

The Veterinarian’s table is so cold. I am so
hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and
sadness. I manage to lick their hands softly. 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 dream
like now, and I see my Mother, 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 nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many,
many happy years with them, but it was not meant to be. 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.

“I am sorry,” said the Vet. “Pet shop puppies do not come from
ethical breeders. I am so tired of putting so many of these kind of
puppies to sleep.”

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.

Copyright J.Ellis

From the Rainbow Bridge list.

Please, please adopt or buy from reputable breeders!!

 No pet store puppies!