I have a problem with seeing a thread by an owner that took the time to research Labrador Retriever Websites and has the Heartbreak of trying to rehome his dogs Closed.

Can you explain the lack of compassion to me Gunnargirl?

Where is your conversative Compassion??? LOL

:confused:

lack of compassion?? I have compassion for the poor dogs that have lived w/ families for years only to be dumped due to no fault of their own.

How Could You

When I was a puppy I entertained you with antics and made you laugh. You called me your child an 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 housetraining took a little while longer than expected because you were terribly busy, but we worked on it together. I remember those nights of nuzzling in your bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be anymore perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice 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 a bad decision, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dogperson", 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. and I spend 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 my 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 dose not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family", but there was a time that I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hoplessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her". They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers". You had to pry your son's fingers loose from of my collar as he screams "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!". And I worried for him, and what lesson you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one too.

After you left, the 2 nice ladies said you probably knew about the upcoming move month ago and you made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "how could you?".

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you, that you had changed your mind, that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me . When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate. I retreated to the far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but ther was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "how could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said " I am sorry". She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "how could you?" was not meant for her It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

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From the Author: Everybody may use this essay (not for commercial uses) but you have to put a legal notice below it. Use it to educate people, on websites, in Newsletters, in animal shelters.

My point EXACTLY . I would NEVER do that to an animal that I own and someone like ME might be williing to take a dog from an owner that would BEFORE it experiences the horror of a shelter.

I know there are many that need saving and you can check my record with many Lab rescues and All breed rescues for the transporting that I do but I still Stand by my belief that STOPPING someone from Trying to find a home for their dogs is WRONG.

These dogs might end up in a shelter and if someone from these boards can prevent it YOU shouldn't stop it.

I don't have any reason or desire to look up your record. The Lab Chat Board is a place for people to come to in order to learn and share stories about Labrador Retrievers and Lab Ret. ownership-not for people to drop in with the sole purpose of rehoming their pets. Normally messages such as that turn ugly w/ good pet owners fruitfully trying to talk the person into keeping the dog(s) which causes emotions to run amuck.
The poster was given some ideas of places near him/her to turn to for help.