>I
am suppose to be hosing down my porch so that I can put in my air
conditioner. I'm pretty proud that at my age I am able to put in my own air conditioner,
but instead -today I decided that I wanted to share the RSPCA account of
Pudding, a Patterdale Terrier. I looked at the picture of her damaged face which is
still amazingly beautiful and it cried out to me and said -- please share my
story. I hope no one else will suffer as I have.
 23
 
A Special Forgiving Dog |
|
Yes, Pudding, I will share your story, but sadly there will always be cruel
people like your first owner who used you in the illegal and gruesome 'sport' of
badger baiting. As a result of having to compete in these vicious fights, you
were left blind in my eye and part of your face was torn off.
Rescued and rehabilitated in 2012 by the RSPCA, "Little Miss Sunshine" as
you became to be known- found a wonderful home with Toni and her husband Ed.
After a few years, Pudding passed away- but not before experiencing great
happiness and love in the happy home Toni and Ed provided for her. Everyone who
met her were impressed by her sense of joy and optimism- despite her cruel and
suffering past. Please look up her beautiful face on the internet. Her inner beauty
shines through- despite the cruel ravages of pain and suffering inflicted on
her.
Upon her death, Toni wrote a letter to the cruel badger baiter. Whether
she was able to reach the one who caused so much suffering to Pudding is debatable,
but hopefully, one day this cruel person and others like him will read it. If
not, it still is a strong, caring letter for all of us to read and come away impressed by
its truth.
Pudding was an incredible forgiving dog who showed so much love to people
--despite having been traumatized and brutalized by those who were completely devoid
of kindness and compassion.
TONI'S LETTER TO A BADGER BAITER:
"My dog died the other day and my world came crashing down. I thought
maybe I should tell you -as she was your dog once many years ago, but I doubt you'd
shed a tear.
My life won't be the same without her; she was the sunshine that greeted
me every morning and the smile that sent me to sleep every night. But to you she
was just a tool- a means of proving your manliness and making an easy quid or too. I wonder
if you've ever thought about her since good people took her from you.
Her new life was full of love and happiness. Despite the suffering she
endured at your hands, she never held a grudge. She was a joyful, affectionate, and
trusting dog who greeted everyone she met like a long lost friend. But her body told the
story her cheerful demeanor hid so well.
Her disfigured face, damaged eye, and distended nipples spoke of painful
fights and overbreeding -- all for your pleasure and profit. Yet I doubt you ever
really knew the dog who served you so faithfully, and that's your loss. She had a heart
bigger than her head and an enthusiasm for life that inspired everyone who knew her.
People often said she was lucky to find such a good home, but in reality I
was the lucky one. Her resilience and unrelenting optimism taught me to be a better
person. It was a privilege to share my life with her, and for that I thank you. If you
hadn't been so arrogant, foolish or just plain dumb, your crimes might have gone undetected and she
would never have come into my life.
I'm sure she'd want me to forgive you for the suffering you caused her and
so many other animals; she had no room in her heart for malice. I know your cruel acts
were born of ignorance, stupidity, and a deep sense of inadequacy- so perhaps I should
forgive you, but I can't. I'm not as good a person as my dog was. No one ever will
be."
Thank you Toni -- a letter which is a heartfelt and beautiful tribute to one
of God's most loving creatures. One person who commented at this site said "I have a
greater respect for animals than I do of the human race. Animals are innocent where as
humans have the instinct of knowing the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.
There is no excuse for this and there never will be. Never." I agree.
1
1
1
