Dear editor:

Six years ago, near Southwestern Michigan College, you let me go during a very bad storm. You abandoned me with nothing but a green too small collar and a shabby broken flea collar that I had tried to chew off as it had caused sores on my neck. I was skinny, scared and very confused. I didn’t know what I had done wrong or why I never met your expectations of me. I waited for you to come get me. I really tried to avoid the others that were trying to help me as I knew you would be back. Maybe you just forgot, because you never came.

Finally, I let this lady take me to her house. She gave me food, gave me a bath (I don’t think I liked that very much, but I was so tired I couldn’t fight it) and then she did something I don’t remember ever having done before. She gave me a hug and gently patted my head. Can you imagine? She actually raised her hand to me and it came down with soft touches instead of those hard blows I was used too, which my body had proof of. Then we went to this strange place called a vet’s office. Didn’t like it much, but I finally had an idea of how old I was. I was over 10.

Well, I had a wonderful time in my new home. I had two friends called “cats.” Strange little creatures, but we got along well. I loved my new people and they loved me. In fact, they loved me enough to let me go. See, I was put to sleep yesterday because I had gotten old and my body had been so abused that I couldn’t fight it anymore. I was getting very uncomfortable.

I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry I couldn’t be loved by you. I’m sorry that you thought the answer to all my problems was to hurt me. And I’m really sorry that you thought so little of my efforts, that you left me by the side of the road. But I sincerely thank you for one thing … I believe we will meet again and I still have my teeth to greet you!

Sincerely,

“Charlie Dog”
(Submitted by Barbara Wilson, Elkhart)