You knew before you 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 of counters,destroy anything expensive,chase the cat,take forever to housetrain, and must never be allowed off lead.

When the big day fininally 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 room, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats seperated 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 the strategic points reminding all to "Close the door".

Soon it became second nature to make sure the door closed nine tenth of a second after it was opened, and that it is really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your most verbalized expression. (The first is "No")

You worry and fuss constantly,terrified that your darling will get out ,and disaster will surly follow.Your friends comment on who you love the most, your family or your dog.You know that to relax you vigil for a moment ,might lose him forever.

So the weeks and the months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized everyday, 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 so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are becoming infected, the disease spreading its roots deep into your mind.And then one of your friends suggests obedience classes,and,after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home.Why not, he always runs straight to the door,dancing a frenzy of joy waiting 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 ,when it is late, you even let him slip out the door to potty and then right back in.)

Years pass.. its hard to remember why you worried so 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 to close to the highway.( He still gets in the garbage ,but nobody's 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 spied 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 just 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 outcome , hit by a car.

Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when 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 puppies birthday, lest we forget.

~ Auther Unknown~