A dog's letter to the woman who was going to adopt him TRANSLATED BY ANN WOOD
"Dear Mom, today I died.It didn't hurt, so don't worry! I was just alone. I was so used to being alone that dying with no one nearby felt familiar and warm.
I spent so many years in the cage that I grew to love it; it was the only place where I felt safe.
I suppose I was unlucky. I never wondered why *I* had to be the unlucky one while others were lucky. It just happened that way.
Dear Mom, I don't want you to feel bad. I just wanted you to know that I was here. I wish that when you were looking for a friend, you hadn't chosen the fluffy puppy at the pet store.
I wish someone had pointed you in the right direction. I wish you had visited my shelter years ago and chosen me instead of your friend's purebred puppy.
I wish that when you wanted a dog to wag its tail when you came home, you had known that I could do that too.
I wish you had known that when you were looking for a dog to lie across your legs while you rested on the couch, I could have done that as well.
I wish you had known that I would have been your best walking companion, even on the highest mountain.
I just wanted you to know that I could have been everything you ever wanted me to be.
Dear Mom, it’s not your fault. I know there is a 'Mom' out there somewhere, and that was you. It’s just that we never..." ...we met. Perhaps because there are so many of us and so few of you. A mother needs to know where to look, but sometimes mothers make mistakes, too. I just wish you hadn't made that mistake.
Dear Mom, don't feel sorry for me! Don't cry! Last night, when I fell asleep, I think I saw you in my dream. You came to my cage, opened the door, and took me for a walk. Then we rode in the car, went home, and I lay on my bed with my eyes wide open so I could see you clearly.
I know what you look like, I know your scent, and I recognize your voice and the color of your hair. You never found out who I was, but that doesn't matter. I’m nothing special. Just a dog—your dog.
Dear Mom, I’m sorry I never told you where I was. I just thought you would find me.
I died happy today. As I tried to wake up, I heard you calling my name, and it was the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
Goodbye!"
The dog you could have adopted.
Short story by Ann Wood
Written on 2026-10-09 at 03:40
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
