I Found Your Dog Today

+I Found Your Dog Today+

No, he has not been adopted by anyone.

Most of us who live out here own as many dogs as we want.

Those who do not own dogs, do so because they choose not to.

I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him, he was miles from the nearest house, and he was alone, thirsty and thin, and limping from a burr in his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him. To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his never ending quest to find you...

but I was not you, and despite all my persuasion, his eyes see a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come.

He turned and continued his journey; one he was sure would bring him home to you. He does not understand you are not looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows he must find you. This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things.

Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile. I did not even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest. You see he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away his instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn't know the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited, hoping he would return to the tree; hoping my guilt would build an element of trust, so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you is now over. He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were untouched. And, I worried.You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you thought you were saving him from would be preempted by his suffering for days without food and water.

I returned again before dark. I did not see him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water untouched.

If only you were here to call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him. I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate. It could take him many miles in 24 hours.

It is hours later and a good distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog. His thirst has stopped, it is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared, he no longer aches.

The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your dog has been set free from his burdens.

You see your dog has died.

I kneel next to him and I curse you for not being here yesterday, so I could see the glow, if just for a moment, in those now vacant eyes.

I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I think you hoped he would find.

If only you knew what he went through to reach it...and I agonize, for I know, that were he to awaken at this moment, and if I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail would wag with forgiveness.

Author Unknown

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+I Stole Your Dog Today+

No, I didn't step 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 thrist 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 flithy, 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 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 over 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 homecooked 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 hardly 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 possible the most trusting, loyal and loving being in your life and you consigned her to a life of filth and lonliness 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 about fours years of her precious "life" while I still wrestle with the part of me that hopes 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 to 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.

Author Unkown