They were like ungrateful, self-centered teenagers.

They didn't see that their restricted freedom was a direct result of its abuse. They thought only of themselves, not the destruction--and cost associated with it--that went along with every pastime they thought to amuse themselves with.

They didn't understand that it was their frequent late-night (and mid-day) excursions that resulted in the chains that held them down. They only applied themselves more diligently to maximizing the time when security was lax for their escape bids.

Even at the end, as we drove away waving at them, they hadn't figured out that it would be the last time--that instead of posting their bail again, after they had tunneled under the fence and escaped for the second day in a row, we had chosen the less-expensive option of leaving them imprisoned at the S.P.C.A., rather than continuing to incur the costs and the stress of being their caretakers--a role they so obviously did not wish us to have.

Everyone has to learn that actions have consequences sometime.

Brutus and Suri, may you find some wide open spaces to exercise your neuroses on in your next homes.

I guess this is goodbye. Here's looking at you, kid.

*Dave Barry