I Didn’t Know Any Better, by Amanda Barnes

Dear Misty,

Every now and again I think about you, and I can’t help but feel sad. You didn’t deserve what happened to you, but I didn’t know what else I was supposed to do. I knew I was broke and I knew that I couldn’t afford to have a pet, so when I found you as a little kitten, I should have taken you to the pound or found a home for you where someone else could take care of you. But I didn’t have anything that made me happy, and you made me smile.

You were so small and cute. You were so much fun, tearing up the house and lapping up milk. I know that the canned meats weren’t the healthiest things I could feed you, but I could afford them with Food Stamps.

When you got sick, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t afford to take you to the vet. I tried to take care of you myself, but you were just so sick. I didn’t know what to do, so I took you outside, put you in a little box, and left you there. I couldn’t handle your dying on me. I left you alone, scared, sick. I’d had you for several months, and I loved you, but I left you alone. I didn’t even put you somewhere close by, because I didn’t want to look and see where I’d left you. (more…)

To My Pup Fritz's Prior Owner, Charlotte Raynor

Dear R and wife,

I have wanted to write this letter to you, my ex-husband and your wife, for a very long time. You deserve to know how I feel about you and how you treated my most precious miniature schnauzer, Fritz, before I removed him from your home.

R, you and I were married over 16 years, brought a child into this world together and had a number of different pets, including dogs, in our care. We both loved all animals, especially dogs, and you helped me take care of a number of puppies and dogs throughout our years together. We treated our dogs as well as we treated our son–with love, compassion and care. When we parted ways, we had a dog, Crissy, at the time that we had discussed together about her future. She was a miniature schnauzer my mother had given to me. She was just a puppy when we received her. (more…)