Trust - A Deadly Disease
Author unknown
There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy
thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not
a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease
is called "Trust".
You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be
trusted. The breeder who provided you with this precious animal
warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters,
destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train,
and must never be allowed off lead!!
When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the
breeder, you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared
and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.
At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored
in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats
separated, and a gate placed across the living room to keep at least
one part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been
properly
secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all
to "Close the door!"
Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine
tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really
latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized
expression. (The first is "No!")
You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get
out and disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who
you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your
vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.
And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more
civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems
that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost
before you know it, your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an
elegant, dignified friend.
Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more
places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the
car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this
morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so
cozily on your pillow last night?
At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is
spreading its roots deep into your mind.
And then one of your friends suggest obedience classes, and, after a
time you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you
get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a
frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every
time he is called. You know he is the exception that disproves the
rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the
front door to go potty and then right back in.)
Years pass- it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when
he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left
open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be
beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run
into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful
long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back
to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the
highway. (He still gets in the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)
This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes
it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.
He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets
everything he ever knew about not slipping out doors, jumping out
windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a
paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of
running...
Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever- Your heart is broken at the
sight of his still beautiful body.
The disease is trust. The final outcome, hit by a car.
Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning
for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly
obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being
hit by a car.
Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for
things that do not matter.
Please read this every year on your puppy's birthday, lest we forget.
Author Unknown
P.S. The cat never leaves the yard . . .
SHelter And REscue
