To Whom It May Concern:       I put your puppy to sleep today. He wasn't a puppy anymore, of course.  But he was the last time you saw him at eight weeks of age, or seven, or six, or ? just how young was he when you sent him out into the world? You remember him, don't you? He was probably the strong nurser, the pup who dominated his littermates, the one who took charge of the food dish, who barked first, who growled first. He was a cute, assertive puppy then.  You remember, don't you? Some three years later he came to me, a big, strong, adult. Through how many hands did he pass before he came here? I wonder. Did you stay in touch with the people who paid you for the cute puppy? Did you tell them how to feed and care for him? Did you tell them to be sure to socialize him well? Did your contract (you did have one, didn't you?) specify that you be contacted if his first family couldn't keep him any longer? Were they able to ask your advice when they couldn't house break him quickly? When he chewed up a shoe? When they decided it was easier to put him in the back yard and ignore him? Were you there to help when they moved and couldn't take him along? When he was shuffled from place to place? When no one wanted him because he'd never been trained, because he had no manners, because he had never bonded with humans? Did his sire and dam also have a high prey drive? Were they temperament tested? Have either of them ever turned on a human? How many other puppies did you send into the world? Do you know where they are? How they are? I thought you would want to know how this puppy turned out. He could have been a loved and loving family member. He could have earned obedience titles. He could have excelled in agility. He could have been a kind therapy dog. He could have enjoyed the comfort of a loving master at the end of long and happy life. But, I put him to sleep today, at a little over three years of age. No, he wasn't sick or hurt or old. He could not be trusted. He would have hurt someone. Even someone who wanted to help him, wanted to find him a forever home. And the saddest part of all is that he didn't care. He didn't even know that I cared. It was just another place to be sent. Your pup of long ago is fine now. He romps happily someplace where there is only love. Don't give him another thought. I'll think of him, day after day. I'll cry for him. After all, it was I who put your puppy to sleep today. Sincerely, Bonnie Blink A Heart-Broken Rescue Volunteer