A Letter From a Pet

When I was a pup, I entertained you with my funny jumps and made you laugh. You called me your baby and, although I chewed your shoes, I became your best friend. If I was naughty you shook your finger and asked: “How could you?” But then you felt sorry and rolled me over to tickle my tummy.

I remember the nights we laid together and I listened to your stories and your secret dreams. Together we took long walks, running on the beach, driving around in the car, stopping for ice cream. I had long sleeps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Slowly you start to spend more time with your career, and you went to find another friend in the human world. I always waited patiently, and was there for you when your heart was broken.  I was always happy when you came home, even when you were in love.

Now she is your wife and I welcomed her to the house. I tried to show my affection, and I was happy because you were happy.

When the babies came, I shared your excitement. But you and she were worried, afraid that I would hurt them and so I spent most of my time outside the house.  

When they were bigger, I became their friend. I loved everything that had to do with children, and I loved their touching me because you did not touch me anymore. And I would defend them with my life.

Once upon a time, when asked if you had a dog, you took my picture from your wallet and told them stories about me. Later on you just answered with a "yes," and changed the subject. From your dog I changed into just a dog, and every expense was one too much.

Now you have a new chance in life in another place, and you and she are moving to an apartment where they don’t allow animals. It may be the right decision for your family . . . but there was a time I was your family, too.

I was excited when we went for a ride in the car, until we came to a strange village, and I became frightened because I did not recognize any smells.  When you drove away leaving me behind, I started to run behind the car because I thought you had forgotten me. But you were too fast.

At first, I stayed at that spot because I was sure that you would come to pick me up, I trusted you. But then people started throwing stones, and I was really scared and ran away. The most difficult was food . . . and I had a problem finding enough to eat.

And then one day I saw a car I thought I knew. I ran towards it, hoping to get a lift home.

But it did not stop and hit me from the side. What a pain!  Then I heard a friendly voice  saying ”don’t worry, I‘ll take care of you.”

They took me to a place with other animals, filled out a form and said "I'm sure they'll find a good home for you."

In the shelter, they gave me as much attention as they could. Every time I heard somebody walking by, I hoped it was you, that you changed your mind and that everything was a bad dream. Or maybe someone else would care about me… somebody who would save me.  But I couldn't compete with all those nice puppies, and soon I was placed in a special kennel, away from the others.

Then a woman in a white coat came for me and put me on a table and stroked my ears and told me not to worry. I just knew what was going to happen to me, but I was more worried about her. She carried a heavy burden on her shoulders. I saw the tears on her cheek, and I licked her hand just the way I used to do to comfort you.  

She pushed in a needle and I felt the cold fluid going through my veins. As I became sleepy, I looked up and whispered “how could you?” And because she understood my language, she hugged me and said it was her job to create a better place for me, a place where I would not be ignored, mistreated or abandoned.

But my last how could you was not meant for her. It was for you, my beloved owner, who was in my dying thoughts. I will think about you and wait for you wherever I may go . . .

Author's Note:

This story is for the millions of pets and their owners on Crete, and all over the world, who abandon their animals every year. Taking an animal is an important decision for a lifetime. It is to remind us that animals have feelings, too, and if for any reason there is a change, finding them another home is the responsibility for the owner.