Rescue Poems and Prayers
- Do I Go Home Today?
- Dedicated to all Rescue Volunteers
- RUFF Words from Rover
- The Gift
- The Reason
- Rescue on Christmas
- An Old Dog's Christmas Wish...by Ron Young
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Mills of Missouri
- A Poem to My Foster Dog
He
is a Dog, by Judy Peacott
The Gift
By J. Berry
Submitted by Mimi Karsh
Eyes fearful, paws worn
A sorrowful sight So Forlorn
Love they said would be the cure
For the suffering you had endured
So our family grew that day
We brought you home with us you'd stay
Slowly, gently the bond it grew
Faithful, loyal loving, true
Looking back it's so unclear
How we got by without you here
Trusted companion, devoted friend
You give and give It never ends
They said we were a gift to you
But now we know who rescued who.
Do I Go Home Today?
By Sandi Thompson
Copyright 1991 Sandi Thompson
Submitted by Janet Joers
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 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 ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't 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 embarassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, and they then each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, 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 the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? Do I go home today?
Dedicated to all Rescue Volunteers
by Arlene Pace (September 18, 1998)
Submitted by Maryanne Schaefer
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.
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 '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 heart beat,
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 prayerto 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."
RUFF Words from Rover
Submitted by Sheri Burkholder,
from The Nipawin Journal, Nipawin, Saskatchewan , Canada. Author unknown.
I wish someone would tell me
What I've done so wrong;
And why I must be chained outside
and left alone so long.
They seemed so glad to have me
When I came here as a pup;
There were so many things we did
While I was growing up.
My master said he'd train me
His companion dog and friend;
My mistress gave me love forever
I believed in what she said.
The children said they'd feed me
And brush me every day;
They'd play with me and walk me
And teach me SIT and STAY.
But now my Master hasn't time
My Mistress says I shed;
She won't allow me in the house
She even threw out my bed.
The children never walk me
They always say "not now";
I do wish I could please them
Can someone tell me how?
All I had to give was love;
I wish they would explain
Just why they said they wanted me
Then left me----on a chain.
Author unknown.
The Reason
(Dedicated to all rescue workers from the rescue Kerrries)
Submitted by Marie McGrady
Author unknown
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.
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.
A Poem to My Foster Dog
Author Unknown, submitted by Tracey in Newton, MA
I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you, matted and sore, limping,
depressed, lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand.
I will love you with my whole heart.
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek
When your eyes shine
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go - not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever -
A new dog needs me now.
He is Dog
By Judy Peacott
Copyright May 2008
He is good
He is bad
Some times he makes you mad
He listens
He ignores
At times you wish for more
He is dog
You chose him for his looks
You should have read more books
He is naughty
He is nice
You should have sought advice
He is dog
You have choices to make
His life is at stake
Take the training trail
Or choose to quickly bail
His life is in your hands
He is dog
You decide you cannot deal
To a rescue you appeal
The dog is off your plate
You can make the great escape
This is goodbye
He is dog
You move on with life from here
Tell yourself things you want to hear
You tried hard to make it work
But the dog, was just a quirk
That you thought would be a perk
He is dog
Now he’s found his place
With someone who thinks he’s great
Who with patience and some time
Has allowed this boy to shine
All will be fine
He is loved.
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