For Meg, Jess, and too many others.

Today your dog died.  You didn’t know, you weren’t there.  She died broken and sad.

But she didn’t die alone.  Someone else took your place, provided that last kind word, last stroke, last touch.  Someone else held her close, talked to her as she slipped away, felt her muscles relax for the last time, heard her last breath, shed a tear on her soft fur.  Someone else made sure your dog died with dignity, with care, and told her it would be ok now, all her worries were over.

Today your dog died.  You didn’t know, you weren’t there.  You couldn’t have known, you never asked.  You opted out, let her down, walked away.  After all those faithful years you passed her on, out of sight out of mind.  You signed a form, handed over a few pounds to silence your conscience, and it was done, no longer your dog, someone else would take responsibility now.

You had a dog, once.

Did you tell us the whole truth, when you brought her into the rescue centre?  Should we give you the benefit of the doubt?  Did you really think she was ok, and we could find her a new home?  Or did you just want to push the uncomfortable decisions to one side, let someone else deal with it?  Did you not see?  Did you know she was struggling, and you couldn’t face it?  Did you really not know she needed you then more than ever?

We would have tried anything we could for your dog.  But she was too broken.  In the end we were all she had, but it wasn’t enough, we were strangers and she wanted her best friend.  We set her free, and she looked for you, but you never came.

Today your dog died, and you will never know.