Short Sad stories: The saddest stories

How could you? (A dog 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 took me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer then expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on it 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 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 cream is bad for dogs." That's what 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 on your work and career, and searching for a human mate.

I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, 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 and showed affection and obeyed her.

I was happy because you were happy.

Then human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and 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 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, they poked 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- I would've defended them with my life if I needed to.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we would wait for the sound of your car on the driveway.

There had been a time where others asked if you had a dog, you would show 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 career opportunity in another city, and you 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 cats and dogs, of fear and hopelessness.

You filled out the paperwork and said," I know you will find a good home for her." The 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 sons hands from my collar as he screamed," no daddy!! Please don't let them take my dog!!!"

And I worried for him, about what lessons you've just taught him about loyalty, love, responsibility, and respect for all life.

You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my gaze, 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 the upcoming move months ago and made no attempt at finding another good home for me, they shook their heads and asked, " How could you?"

They're attentive to us here at 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 up to the front hoping it was you- that you changed your mind- that this was some bad dream.....or hope that 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, rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded at the anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The "prisoner of love" had run out of days.

As in my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden of which she bears weigh 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. And I licked her hand the same way I used to comfort you 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 she understood what my eyes were telling her. She said," I'm so sorry" and hugged me and explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored, abused, or abandoned, or have to fend for myself.

........a place of love and light so different from this earthly place.

And with the last bit of my 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.........

Authors note
Well that's it guys!!! That's the end of "The Saddest Stories". I hope one of those stories made you cry, and sorry if some were long. Thanks for your support!!!