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How Could You?
Copyright Jim Willis 2001
e-mail: tiergarten@onebox.com
Web Site: Tiergarten Care Fund

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 housebreaking 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 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 ... >>>

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Copyright Jim Willis 2001 - Used With Permission

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Tiergarten Veterinary Care Fund
c/o McDonald Animal Clinic
126 S. McDonald St
McDonald, PA 15057

!! WE MUST PLACE ALL FOSTERS BY SEPTEMBER !! SEE OUR SITE FOR DETAILS:
--For Animals for Adoption, the texts of "How Could You?", "The Animals' Savior," "We Are Their Heroes," "IF for Dogs," and more, and a list of helpful links
PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE: http://jimwillis0.tripod.com/tiergarten/

**WE NEED AIRLINE-APPROVED SHIPPING CRATES (especially large/X-large dog sizes).

**CONTRIBUTIONS to the TIERGARTEN VETERINARY CARE FUND are greatly appreciated! - and must be made payable to McDonald Animal Clinic and sent to:
Tiergarten Care Fund
c/o McDonald Animal Clinic
126 S. McDonald St
McDonald, PA 15057

[Please note: we are not a not-for-profit corporation and therefore have donations go directly to our veterinarian. We are exempt from registration with PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations and are entered as such in their database.]
(We also appreciate donations of quality dog & cat kibbles, canned cat foods ("Whiskas" or equivalent), fresh or frozen ground meats, bedding, especially standard-size doggie pillow covers. Please contact us about other items and supplements we regularly use.)

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