I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't chewed your shoe? I didn't know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn't get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if l hadn't barked? I was only saying, "I'm scared, I'm lonely, I'm here, I'm here! I want to be your best friend."

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn't make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn't pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.

Love,
Your Puppy

             I am your Animal Control Officer.  I am not the dreaded "dog-catcher" or the "murderer" you call me.

          I'm not the one who allows your pets to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on roadsides and in the shelters.  I'm the one who must find the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure or disease and, as an act of mercy, exterminate them. It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of your irresponsibility, I have no choice.

        I'm not the one who abandons unwanted animals on the farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely take them in and give them a good home.  But I am the one who picks up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned.  I am the one who must help that friendly farmer   trap, tranquilize or kill that animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned hungry animals, killing livestock, fowl and game. Don't you know all creatures have a survival instinct , we all will one way or another  when our bellies are empty and our bodies are weak?.

        I am not the one who breeds and fights dogs in the name of "sport".  But I'm the one who fights the breeders and participants, and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind.

        So, remember the next time a stray dog bites your child, your trash is dumped and scattered, your pet is lost, stolen, poisoned or hit by a car, and it is the Animal Control Officer you call not the "dog catcher".

        The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing your pet,, remember that I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbor  your community and your self.

            Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of your irresponsibility. I love animals, I care and that why, I am here.