My family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm. They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, especially the little girls and boys. The children loved to feed me; they gave me special treats. They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets. I used to go for walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say! These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory. I now live in the shelter - without my family. They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new. The kids and I would grab a rug, for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug. They said I was out of control and would have to live outside. This I didn't understand, although I tried and tried! The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't the time. I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime. My life became so lonely in the backyard, on a chain. I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane. So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye. If I'd only had some training as a little pup. I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up. "You only have one day left", I heard a worker say. Does that mean I have a second chance? Do I go home today?
Prayer of a Stray
Dear God Please Send Me Somebody Who'll Care! I'm Tired of Running, I'm Sick With Despair. My Body is Aching, It's so Racked With Pain, And Dear God I Pray As I Run In The Rain. That Someone Will Love Me And Give Me A Home. A Warm Cozy Bed And A Big Juicy Bone. My Last Owner Tied Me All Day In The Yard Sometimes With No Water and God That Was Hard! So I Chewed My Leash God And I Ran Away To Rummage In Garbage And Live As A Stray. But Now God I'm Tired And Hungry And Cold. And I'm So Afraid That I'll Never Grow Old. They've Chased Me With Sticks and Hit Me With Stones While I Run The Streets Just Looking For Bones! I'm Not Really Bad God, Please Help If You Can, For I Have Become Just A "Victim Of Man!" I'm Wormy Dear God And I'm Ridden With Fleas And All That I Want Is An Owner To Please! If You Find One For Me God, I'll Try To Be Good And I Won't Chew Their Shoes, But I'll Do As I Should. I'll Love Them, Protect Them And Try To Obey When They Tell Me To Sit, To Lie Down Or To Stay! I Don't Think I'll Make It Too Long On My Own, Cause I'm Getting So Weak And I'm So All Alone. Each Night As I Sleep In The Bushes I Cry, Cause I'm So Afraid God, That I'm Gonna Die! And I've Got So Much Love And Devotion To Give, That I Should Be Given A New Chance To Live. So Dear God Please, Please Answer My Prayer And Send Me Somebody Who Will Really Care ... That Is, Dear God, If You're Really There!
Chums
by: Arthur Guiterman He sits and begs, he gives a paw; He is, as you can see, The finest dog you ever saw, And he belongs to me.
He follows everywhere I go And even when I swim. I laugh because he thinks, you know, That I belong to him.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends there are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to perfect health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again just as we remember them in our dreams of years and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing - they miss someone very special to them, who had to stay behind when the beloved pet went away.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks up -- the bright eyes are intent, the body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, his body flying over the green grass, his legs hurrying faster and faster. You have been spotted, when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The sweet loving kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your dear pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
A Dog’s Plea
by Beth Norman Harris Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear. Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter element. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep my going. I am not having any fun. Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing that with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
