Letter From an Adopted Dog to Its Human

We all know dogs can't talk or write, yet they express so much more than words through their gestures, their gaze, and their affection.

This is the letter of an adopted dog to its humans, or what it might say, so you can understand what goes through their hearts when they finally find a home where they're loved.

Where Am I?

I don't know when or how it happened, but one day I found myself here, in a kind of little prison where I live alongside many other dogs. I have trouble sleeping because the other dogs cry constantly.

I can't eat well either, because there isn't much food, and the little there is usually gets eaten by the bigger, stronger dogs. No one dares get close to them while they're eating...

Honestly, I don't know what this place is. Maybe it's some kind of hell where we all end up, but I don't remember doing anything wrong to end up here.

How Did I Get Here?

I remember I had a family, but one day, when I went to wake up my human in the morning, she wouldn't wake up. I licked her face for hours, but she seemed to be very sleepy, because her eyes wouldn't open.

I don't know who they were, but they picked me up from home and brought me here. I don't understand what I did wrong — I've always behaved. I also don't know why my human doesn't come get me. I don't understand any of it.

At least I have some memories — many of the dogs who live here with me don't remember anything except always being locked up here, with no home.

What's Going to Happen to Me?

Families come to visit us every day, but none of them want to play with me. I don't know if I'm ugly or too old, if I don't seem affectionate, or if I just smell too bad — maybe it's because I'm not purebred... but I feel so alone.

Some of my friends here are lucky and get to go for a walk with a family, or so it seems, because they never come back. Maybe they simply found the home we all dream of, or maybe they were put to sleep for good.

When people come to see us, I always try to seem friendly, but they never pay much attention to me, so I bark a lot like the others, hoping they'll look at me and know I exist, but it doesn't work.

And Then... Finally, You Arrived

I don't know how long I was there or why, but I remember that first day, that moment you came up to me and spoke to me. I don't know what you said — I don't speak human... but I could see in your eyes that everything was going to be okay.

Since then, you've taken care of me, fed me, we've gone for walks, played, given each other so much love... since then, there's only love in my heart, and I believe there is in yours too.

I don't know what you saw in me, but I promise I'll be grateful to you until the day I die of old age. I only hope that the other dogs who lived there with me get the same luck I did, meeting you.

I Feel the Moment Is Coming

Some years have passed since we met, since we became one family, one pack. I can see some gray hairs have appeared in your hair, and when I look at myself in a mirror, I can see many have appeared on me too.

I no longer have the strength to get up, not even to come greet you... I think my time is coming, but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye, so I'm leaving you this letter.

I want you to know I love you, that I've always loved you, and that I'll always love you. Thank you, thank you for being part of my life and for taking care of me, thank you for rescuing me and for always being by my side.

I know you'll be sad for a while — please always remember the good times we spent together, and when your heart feels joy again, please, rescue another dog, give it the same chance you gave me.

Sincerely, your loyal and grateful dog