"ANGEL" A Story About Puppy Mills


ANGEL
Current mood: sad

This is not a joke but a sad story please feel free too pass this on just make sure you have the copy right at bottom of message as well. Thank you

ANGEL

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 away from Mom,I was so sad and scared,my milk teeth had only just come in,and i should really should have been with Mom still.but she was so sick,and the humans kept saying that they wanted money and they were sick of the mess,that me and my sister 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 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 here.I see humans look at me,I like the little humans,the kids,They look so sweet and fun ,like they would play with me.
All day we stay in the small cage ,some times mean people will hit the glass and frighten us,every once in awhile 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 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 body.I 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 think my soft whine was the only one that mourned her as her body was taken out of the cage and dumped.Today a family came in and bought me!Oh happy day!They are a nice family,they really want 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.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,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 backyard breeders and my parents not being tested.I know not what any of that means,just that it hurts me to see my family so sad but they still love me,and i still love them very much.
I am six months old now,Where most puppies are robust and rowdy it hurts me just too 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 to do my best to be a 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 the mom and dad talk about "it might now be the time" several times I have went to the vets place and the news is never good.Always talk about congenital problems,I just want to run and play and nuzzle with my family.Last night was the worst,pain has been my constant,it hurts even to get up and get a drink,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 the 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 can only whine in pain.
The veterinarians table is so cold,I am frightened.The humans all hug me and love me,they cry into my soft fur.I can feel their love and sadness.I manage to lick softly their hands,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 drift,I am beginning to feel peace descend upon me, my vision is becoming dream like now,and i see my mother and brothers and sisters,in a far off green place.They tell me there is no pain there,only peace and happiness.I tell my family good - bye in the only way I know how ,a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose,had hoped to spend many moons with them ,but it was not meant too be,"you see" said the vet "pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders' 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.
copyright 1999 J.Ellis