Oh Mr. Charles Adler, how could you do this to me....

A while ago, Charles Adler (AdlerNation) Talk show host, read a heart wrenching story, written from a dogs perspective, and it is as follows:

HOW COULD YOU? A Dog's Story

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 belly rub.

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 and 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, and 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 we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. 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, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons 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 have a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and 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 a 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 and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there 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 dog speak, she said "I'm so 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.

And 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 directed at 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.

Adler on Line. now heard on 11 stations acrossCORUS..www.charlesadler.com

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There, there now, take a bunch of deep breath's, dry your eyes, it will be alright... I promise...

So, with that said, and keeping in mind that this blog is being written by someone who's heart is wide open to animals, in fact any living creature, and who would do anything I could to end all suffering for them, if only I could, read on, this was again from Charles Adler.

Last week, I was again getting my daily 'dose' of his program when I heard him talking about animals again, only this time it was about a horse who had reached the end of his days and needed to be put down... and it was about neighbours, the old fashioned kind of neighbours that seem to be a dying breed now... remember that time, not so long ago, when it was just a given that you could call on your neighbours to lend a hand when you really needed them? And yes, you KNEW, unequivicably, that they would be there for you... I remember those days, but the memory seems to be fading fast now.

Don't ask me why, because I have no answers for you, but it just seems to me that those good old fashioned kind of 'neighbour's' who would gladly give you the shirt off their back, and you in return would do the same, are a dying breed...

Now it seems that the 'neighbourly thing to do' is to call the police for any slight infraction, sue, turn their backs on those in need, or those who don't quite measure up somehow to your ''standard's', whatever those lofty ideals may be... and God forbid ever considering lending a helping hand, no matter how little effort it might be, and how much help,nd freindship it would show...

Like I said, I don't understand it, anymore than I can understand someone deserting your lifelong, loyal partner like was depicted in "How Could You?"

The story of the horse prompted me to write this email to Charles Adler, which he in turn read on the air. I went like this:

Charles,

As a completely dedicated and faithful member of the AdlerNation, including listening to your show twice daily on CJME, AND the reruns on the weekends, I can't believe you would do this to me!! As you say about politics - YOUR SHOW is my 'smack' and I NEED it!

So there I was, minding my own business this afternoon, getting dressed to go out and tend to my daily affairs... FOR ONCE (in what feels like a millions years) I had dammed the flow of all too ready tears (I could probably have filled an ocean in the last couple of years - single-handed) and I was feeling really good (well, pretty good, considering) that for once, I would be going out to face the world with no red rimmed eyes from my unrelenting sorrows, no red nose from being wiped all too often... you get the drift..

THEN - YOU CROSSED THE LINE!!! BIG TIME!

How could you do that to me Charles? Where is your heart?

As I am almost ready to leave the house, you started telling the story about the horse, and about neighbours, and.... I think I made it until they phoned their neighbour to come over and do the deed.... try as I might, it was too late - the rivers began to flow, as I sat there spellbound and listened to the whole story! How could you???

I had to put my beautiful mare down about three years ago, and all THOSE memories came flooding back. To make it all that much worse, my own Mom died the following day, so you can imagine the depth of those memories, and the pain they evoked...

And the neighbour part... That hurt for a whole different reason, because I have not had a 'decent' neighbour for years... I used to have great neighbours, ya know, they'd make cookies and bring over a batch for me and the kids, and I'd trade them some of my famous (yes, it really was famous, it was in DEMAND, until I got tendinitis so bad that now I can't make it even for myself) homemade sourdough bread, or some buns...

And in the spring, without even being asked, Mr. Scott would be over at my place with his
rototiller in my garden just as soon as he was done doing his, and all summer we would trade produce and pointers over the fence....

Charles - how could you do that to me? First the dog story, now the horse story... *** sigh***

Forgive me my transgressions... I really do love your program, it is my 'smack' and please keep those wonderful, heart-wrenching stories coming. So what if I had to face the shopkeepers with red rimmed eyes again? Nothing new there...

My one hope, is that some of those (evil) uncaring animal hater's out there will be touched by one of these stories just enough to maybe soften their cold cold hearts, even a tiny bit...

Thanks, and take care!
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I have to wonder how many of you out there have similar feeling, and experiences? I really don't think this is something that is just unique to me, and I'd love to get your feedback on this, so drop me a line...

SoulSongs