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Left in a crate with nothing But a note and can of food, Sweet Sally waited patiently Until she was rescued. A church in Massachusetts Is the place where she was found; This Papillon without a past Would not go to the pound. Some kindly people made sure She was taken to the vet, And what they learned there wasn't good, And would get much worse yet. Her age was quite advanced And her trachea was weak, She had a heart that was too large And they could not save her teeth. They fixed her up as best they could They even saved one tooth! But no matter what they did for her They could not restore her youth The Rescue Angels wondered If there was a soul out there, Who'd take this little creature in Who needed so much care. Sometimes a thing is meant to be Right from the very start, As when Bonnie first saw Sally And she went straight to her heart. So when they met in person It came as no big surprise... Sally had found her forever home; She could see it in Bonnie's eyes. |
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And she kept her distance some. Not one to kiss and cuddle much, But Bonnie knew that would come. So Sally warmed up gradually And soon found Bonnie's lap, And when she wanted placed there She would give a decisive "yap"! When Sally had her good days She would dance across the room; Entice you with a game of chance, And wag her pretty plume. One day she grabbed an onion ring Dropped on the kitchen floor; She ran all through the house with it, Then lost at tug-of-war! She was the light of Bonnie's life, But soon the good days would wane. Trips to the vet and medicine To try and ease Sally's pain. But there was no prescription to heal Bonnie's aching heart, Knowing soon that she and Sally Would have to be apart. There came a chance to share This gentle soul and let her shine; A Rescue Parade in Houston Would be the perfect time. The crowd was hushed as Sally Made her way into the ring; She looked up into Bonnie's face Saying, "Thanks....for everything." |
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After that, Sally's last hurrah. More pills and doctor visits; Bonnie knew it wasn't long. Rosalyn and Lolly sensed That Sally's time was near; They took turns saying their good-byes, Though Bonnie couldn't hear. There comes a time when all of us Must walk into the light, But Sally wasn't going Without a valiant fight. She put up quite a battle But was losing in the war; And she would let her Bonnie know When she could fight no more. Her spirit goes on living Until this very day; It's kept alive in hearts of those She's touched along life's way. The pitter-pat of her tiny feet No longer heard on earth; She tiptoed 'cross the Rainbow Bridge, Now that is where they're heard. That last year spent with Bonnie Was the best of Sally's life. The sparks of joy and happiness Almost cancel out the strife. And Bonnie wouldn't trade it, Although the pain was great; Sally wasn't just a pet, She was a true soulmate. Someday you'll make that journey To your final destiny, And when you near the Rainbow Bridge Look closely and you'll see - A smiling little Pappy face, Her head cocked at a tilt; And hear that little pitter-pat Of Sally's happy lilt. - Lori Elias, 2001 |
