SaveAPaw.com

Pet Rescue Poetry Page

This page is dedicated to Sandi, our beloved and very special rescue

 

The Meaning of Pet Rescue
 

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 what ever 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.
 

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 'bout 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 the God 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.
- Unknown

 

I Am A Dog Who Would
Have Died If Not For You

(From a rescued dog to you.)
I would've died that day if not for you.
I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care,
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,
skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it,
beds to sleep on, someone to love me,
to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me...
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair
Why you do it...
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger,
stretch the money a little tighter
Make just a little more room... to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason
The dogs before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.
- Unknown
 

From A Dog's Perspective
Please Rescue Me

Rescue me not only with your hands but with your heart as well. I will respond to you.

Rescue me not out of pity but out of love. I will love
you back.

Rescue me not with self-righteousness but with compassion. I will learn what you teach.

Rescue me not because of my past but because of my future. I will relax and enjoy.

Rescue me not simply to save me but to give me a new life. I will appreciate your gift.

Rescue me not only with a firm hand but with tolerance and patience. I will please you.

Rescue me not only because of who I am but who I'm to become. I will grow and mature.

Rescue me not to revere yourself to others but because you want me. I will never let you down.

Rescue me not with a hidden agenda but with a desire to teach me to trust. I will be loyal and true.

Rescue me not to be chained or to fight but to be your companion. I will stand by your side.

Rescue me not to replace one you've lost but to soothe your spirit. I will cherish you.

Rescue me not to be your pet but to be your friend. I will give you unconditional love. Please Rescue Me!

Author Unknown

A Dumped Dog's Prayer

Don't close the door! Don't push me away. Why are you leaving? Don't make me stay.

Slow down the car, I can't keep up. This pavement is hot and my pads are cut.

I've got to quit running or my heart will pop. Every muscle is aching. Why don't you stop?

I'm so hungry and thirsty. Darkness is near. But I shouldn't leave, he will come for me here.

Several weeks have passed, I am dead on my feet. They call me a nuisance because I eat off the streets.

Every car that passes, I chase it to see if it's my master coming for me.

Though I approach those that come near with trust in my eyes and no sign of fear.

With hate in their voices and a cold, heartless stare, they threaten to kill me - they don't even care.

Batter my body with rocks that they throw, I will not leave, he will come, don't you know?

Overtaken with weakness, my body is numb. I'm sick and so lonely. Oh please, let him come!

I will go back where he first threw me out. I'll wait for him there, he will come, no doubt.

My thoughts are fading. My chest feels like lead. I'm sleepy, so sleepy - I can't lift my head.

It's so quiet, so peaceful -- all remains still. There is my master at my home on the hill.

Yes, I can see him, he's calling my name. His voice is so gentle, his hands are the same.

He decided he wants me. Things will be fine. I really do love him, that master of mine.

My tail wags with pleasure. I can't catch my breath.
He came in my dreams, but so did my DEATH!!

Author Unknown

 

 

Baggage

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.
I'd 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 repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, But I do come with baggage – Will YOU still want ME?
 

Evelyn Colbath
"Baggage" © 1995 Evelyn Colbath. All rights reserved.

 

 

From A Dog's Perspective
Disposable?


Some folks owned my mother; decided to breed No reason I know of except for their greed.

I know I was hungry, I know I was cold And they sold me quite early, at just five weeks old.

Owner number one seemed friendly at first, And life was quite good, until my bubble burst.

They started to argue; their marriage split up, And in went the ad, for sale 4 month pup.

Some more folks arrived, the next ones in line. They treated me kindly, and life was just fine.

But the master dropped dead, and she couldn't cope, So they sold me again as I began to lose hope.

I now had a new home up in the sky. We went up the lift, fourteen floors high.

The new folks were kind, but they left me all day. I was busting to pee, and had no where to play.

It was boredom, I think, when I chewed up that chair. They agreed I should go, but it just wasn't fair.

The next home was good, and I thought this was it. They started to show, and I won, well, a bit.

Then somebody told them that I had "no bone," And in went the ad, for sale to good home.

The next lot were dreadful. They wanted a guard, But I didn't know that, although I tried hard.

One night they got burglarized and I didn't bark, Tied up in that shed, alone in the dark.

For four months I lay in that cold dark shed With only an old paper sack for a bed.

A small dish of water all slimy and green, The state I was in, well, it had to be seen.

I longed for some help, for an end to the pain, Then some new people came, and I went off again.

So now I'm with rescue, and this home is good! There are walks in the country and lots of good food.

There are kisses and cuddles to greet me each day, And I dread the time that they send me away.

But for now here I stand, skin and bone, on all fours. PLEASE!!! Don't let this happen to any of yours.

Author Unknown

 

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, 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, I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.

I will 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 Oh, so alone.

Bev Davenport, Afghan Hound Rescue © 1986 Bev Davenport.

Click: Pets911~What Is Fostering

CLICK: SAVE A LIFE ~ ADOPT or FOSTER A SHELTERDOG

Back to Main SaveAPaw.com Page

C