Once
I was a lonely dog, Just looking for a home. I had no place to go, No one
to call my own. I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and
snow. I ate whatever I could find, I was always on the go. My skin would
itch, my feet were sore, My body ached with pain. And no one stopped to
give a pat Or to gently say my name. I never saw a loving glance, I was
always on the run. For people thought that hurting me was really lots of
fun. And then one day I heard a voice So gentle, kind and sweet, And arms
so soft reached down to me And took me off my feet. "No one again
will hurt you Was whispered in my ear." "You'll have a home
to call your own where you will know no fear." "You will be dry,
you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat." "And rest assured
that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet." I was afraid I
must admit, I've lived so long in fear. I can't remember when I let A
human come so near. And as she tended to my wounds And bathed and brushed
my fur She told me about the rescue group And what it meant to her. She
said, "We are a circle, A line that never ends." "And in
the center there is you protected by new friends." "And all
around you are the ones that check the pounds, And those that share their
home after you've been found." "And all the other folk are
searching near and far. "To find the perfect home for you, where you
can be a star." She said, "There is a family, that's waiting
patiently, and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle they'll help to make it grow, so
there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go." I
waited very patiently, The days they came and went. Today's the day I
thought, my family will be sent. Then just when I began to think It wasn't
meant to be, there were people standing there just gazing down at me. I
knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too. They said,
"We have been waiting for a special dog like you." Now every
night I say a prayer to all the gods that be. "Thank you for the life
I live and all you've given me. But most of all protect the dogs in the
pound and on the street. And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their
feet."
by Arlene Pace-September
18, 1998
When I wrote this poem it was inspired by my foster Sheltie "Patchie"
who, by the way, is in a home where he is the light of their eyes. I think
now that it is more in the way I see the rescue efforts of all the people
that are doing such a great a job all over this country. So I wish to
dedicate this poem to all of you in rescue, the doers, the helpers, the
donators of money and/or time and tears. |
|
Baggage
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled, and
fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed.
I would like to open my baggage Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry - So much to regret.
Hmm... Yes there it is, right on the top
-
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard
to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things and take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, To never re-pack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me?
By Evelyn Colbath
|
Take Me To The Rescue
You may not think you know me, but I'm sure
you've seen my face
In back yards, fields, and busy streets, you'll
find us any place
I'm what you'd call a rescue dog, who needs a
safety haven
I may be thin, and sickly, too, but I promise I'm
worth saving
I'm the dog who lives next door, the one you
always see outside
Seeking shelter from the sun, and a cool, safe
place to hide
You have seen me on the streets with no place to
call home
Or maybe in an open field, scared and sad, and
all alone
But did you know that there's a place that was
built with me in mind?
Where people love and care for me and and show me
the world is kind
Where no dogs will go hungry, where peace and
love abounds
Where kind and caring people will always be
around.
I may be scared of humans because of what they've
put me through
But my heart is quite forgiving, won't you please
take me with you?
Take me to that rescue place, they'll help me
find a home
And they'll make sure while I'm waiting, I'll
never be alone
I'm small, I'm meek, I'm timid, but I'll be
strong before they're through
For life will begin again for me, if you'll take
me to the Rescue.
Debi Laibe
Oct 2001
It was written during a time that we had
a mother and baby Boxer in a field that we
couldn't catch. We tried for a week before we
finally were able to get them into rescue. The
mama died a couple of days later. Apparently she
was giving the baby all the food and water they
could find and she was just too sick once we got
them. That's what made me write this. |