POEMS DEDICATED TO RESCUE

This page dedicated to all the rescues that come thru our doors, and all those who do rescue!

THE SHADOW WHO FOLLOWED LOVE,

 Dedicated to Lucky, (above) who left us too soon.  Written by Marji, just for us.  Thank you Marji, for caring so much.
>
>"What's this among the bushes?"
>Bedraggled, wet, and cold.
>Her fur so full of stickers,
>The dog was sick and old.
>"We mustn't leave her this way
>She'll die before the morn,
>We'll find someone to help her
>She's sore and so forlorn."
>
>Some gentle hands took Lucky
>To help, and heal her pain,
>A loving home they gave her
>Good food to help her gain.
>She thanked Pam with devotion
>Her shadow all day long,
>And with such tender nurture
>The little dog grew strong.
>
>Too short the years together
>And Lucky couldn't stay,
>Though sadly missed by famly
>They had to face that day.
>Lucky crossed the "Rainbow Bridge"
>She's gone to find the sun,
>She'll wait for those who love her
>The "shadow's" race was run.
>

Why I Rescue 

Taking care of rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.

The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.

My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them everyday
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.

I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.

Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.

If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.

So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for me.

~~ Kathleen Parsons

The Reason (to you from all your rescue dogs)
>>
>> 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.

RESCUE PRAYER...
Now I lay me down to rest
I pray my soul can stand this test
Of watching critters lose their homes
While owners gripe and cry and moan
I long for strength of spirit and
I pray they'll find a home again
Where they will know a loving heart
I can't do much, but its a start..
And spare me from the owner's pleas
About the baby's allergies
Or how they're moving out of state
Or spitefulness 'tween cat and mate
Please keep me sane while dealing with
The woman who bought as a gift
A wriggling tiny ball of fluff
That now is playing way too rough
Remind me I should bite my lip
When confronted with "he grew too quick"
"I didn't know he'd get so large"
"He seems to think that he's in charge"
Protect my heart when I hear them say
"I think we'll breed our dog one day"
Sometimes I think it'll break in two;
Each day brings trials harsh and new
And if I die before I wake
I pray one hopeless soul you'll take
My tears are gone, my faith is bare
Lord, please hear my rescue prayer

Author unknown

    FOSTER DOG POEM

A Poem to my Foster Dog
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.

ONCE I WAS A LONELY DOG
~~ author unknown

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
we're 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 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."

>
>>The Bridge:  Dedicated to:  Harvey & Spotty

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge., this day dawned cold and gray,
damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the
recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never
experienced a day like this before.

But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew
exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low
and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. 

As he walked toward The Bridge, he saw all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the
fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirmed. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. "You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only
the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence.
Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So
what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. "Watch, and see" said the second animal. 

A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the human offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed the person toward The Bridge. Then they all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?" "That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
    (AT THE ANIMAL SHELTERS)
        -- author unknown

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
Every shelter is full. We are lost but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
We hope every minute that someone will care.

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie ~ come fetch your new ball!"
But now we just sit here and think of the days.....
We were treated so fondly ~ we had baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew ~
Now we're no longer young, and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like trash,
They reacted so quickly ~ why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children," "don't come when they call",
We "bark when they leave us," "climb over the wall."
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Wow we suffer the consequence of the error they made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
We'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.
We were left in back yard, or worse ~ left to roam...
Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-by....
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone....
In a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
With so many to care for, they can't stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer....
We know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads....
Of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears ~
Our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at your inn ~
Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year ~
Can you give more than hope to everyone here?

These are Silkies who came from an auction in Cortez.  All Breed Rescue, got them out, and we fostered them.  

A REPORT FROM A PUPPYMILL AUCTION
**** Toni Webb, Cavalier King Charles Rescuer, went to one of
these auctions that I've heard about but never seen. Now we all
can see it through her eyes. - Sarah ******

TO THE RESCUE
The Greatpets.com Newsletter 
By and For Rescue/Shelter Workers
Volume I, Issue XL


"I do not believe I will ever look at the world in the same way
again. This weekend was worse than I had imagined, worse than I
had even been told to expect. I attended my first puppy mill
auction in Missouri Sunday, determined to bring home every last
Cavalier on the auction block. Lucky Star was successful. We
got all six Cavaliers being sold. Hoorah!

But that was only 6 dogs out of 200+. I wanted them all. I
wanted to run, ranting like a mad woman through the dirt isles
of stacked cages, a screaming pied piper, opening and releasing
every last one of those imprisoned souls. What I saw behind
those latched doors broke my heart, and made it almost
impossible to maintain my equilibrium or my sanity, much less
the undercover role I was expected to play. Every 15-20
minutes my husband was at my side, asking if I was okay,
telling me I could do this, HAD to do this, for the dogs. For
the dogs....

Periodically, I had to escape the nasty atmosphere of the barn
for a gulp of the cold Missouri air, hoping the frigid gusts
would calm and fortify me.

Some cages held one-eyed dogs, others held dogs with recent
cuts, and old, ugly scars, dogs with toenails an inch long,
dogs whose hair was one large mat, pregnant bitches close to
delivery, dogs missing ears, legs, teeth.

There were no wagging tails, no yelps of delight; no bright,
trusting eyes or barks of playful banter. Most cowered in the
farthest corners of their cages, two or more huddled close
together, as if their closeness would bring them some measure
of comfort in dealing with their shared misery.

Dog after dog was auctioned to the highest bidder, often with
such sales pitches as: "Missing an eye, but sees well enough to
hit his mark": "This girl is only a year old, but she has
earned her keep by already producing one litter - now she's got
another on the way - a bonus for you"; "This bitch has had 19
pups in a year and a half - just the kind you want"; "If you
just sell one of this pregnant bitch's puppies, you will make
more than you've paid for her"; "Bitch only has three legs -
big deal, she won't be passing that on." And on one male dog,
who refused to stand on the table because of an injured foot,
the auctioneer remarked, "Don't let that bother you, he can
still get it on."

Dogs were often held high in the air for all to see, tails
lifted to gauge whether they were in heat, mouths probed
roughly to check their bites, and abdomens poked and prodded to
check for pregnancy because "this one's been running with Jax -
could give you a surprise."

The Cavaliers were one of the last breed on the block. My
heart stopped, and my eyes welled when I saw the first, and
only two females brought to the table. Their eyes remained
downcast, their tails tucked, their bodies postured with fear. 
"Look at the coats on these beauties," the creepy auctioneer
said. "These ladies have produced some gorgeous pups." That
sealed it -- I wasn't leaving that place until I had every
single cavalier in my possession.

Our babies brought the highest and liveliest bidding, with
bidding often reaching feverish levels, the bids coming so fast
and furious, I was afraid I could not keep up. I hated
bidding; I hated NOT bidding.

When I got the highest bid, the auctioneer said, "Which one do
you want?" "I want them both," I replied. "Great," he said,
"You're saving me time, little lady." When we got the final bid
on the puppies, the last to be auctioned, I breathed a sigh of
relief, and said a quiet thank-you to the man upstairs.

While waiting in line to get the dogs, one man approached us,
and asked how many of "those Charlies" we had. I said I only
had three. "Well," was his response, "you are certainly in
business now." Yes, I told him, you better believe it.

Rescuing just a few is worth the effort, worth the heartache,
and worth the dirt, stench and barren, desolate miles my
husband and I endured. Six are safe, but so many more are not.
Rescuing from these sleazy breeders is a necessary evil. It
is only a drop in the bucket, I know, but it is SOMETHING. It
certainly is not enough, and we must work diligently to try and
save them all.

A number of people I talked to before leaving on this trip knew
nothing about puppy mills. They know about them NOW. Educate.
Please educate. Tell everyone you know, and people you don't
know, what puppy mills are all about. Relate my horror story,
and the stories of other rescuers. We CANNOT shut down the
puppy millers without the education of the public.

Before I sign off, let me tell you about MY bonus. I came home
with seven puppy mill dogs, my seventh being a male, 2 year old
Lhasa Apso. He was placed on the table and the auctioneer
opened the bids at $150. No bids came. Down to $50, still no
bids. At $25, the auctioneer said, "Come on, folks, he's
worked his tail off in his short life - been one busy little
guy. Worth a heck of a lot more than $25. If you don't want
him, I'll put him back to work for me." At $15, my husband saw
the sadness in my eyes. "Toni," he said...too late.

The auctioneer said, "Well, do I hear $10?" My hand shot up
before I could stop it. "Sold, to the little lady for $10." 
"Got yourself quite a bargain," was the auctioneer's parting
shot.

The Cavs hadn't even come up yet, and I knew we had a long way
to go. "Sorry," I told Chris. "I couldn't help it." "It's
okay," he said. "By my calculations, using the luggage rack on
top, we could probably haul back another 20 or so." He was
joking, of course, he simply understood that this business was
deplorable, and resigning these dogs to a pitiful existence was
heart wrenching.

Find it in your heart to get involved with rescue, in whatever
way you can. Attend an auction, donate your money, foster a
rescue, or just encourage and advise those of us who are just
getting our feet wet. You won't be sorry. Your heart may
break, your eyes may be red-rimmed for days, but I promise you,
you will be forever changed."         

Tanya

A man and his dog were walking along a road.  The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog had been dead for years.  He wondered where the road was leading them.  After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.  It looked like fine marble.  At them top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.  He and the dog walked toward the gate.

As he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.  When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"


"This is heaven, sir," the man answered.
 "Wow!  Would you happen to have some water?" the man  asked.
"Of course, sir.  Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."

The man gestured, and the gate began to open."Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."


The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going.  After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.  The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.  When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is heaven," was the answer. "Well, that's confusing," the traveler said.  "The man down the road said that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell." 

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."

DOG PRAYERS

Dear God, How come people love to smell flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another? Where are their priorities?

Dear God, Are there dogs on other planets, or are we alone? I have been howling at the moon and stars for a long time, but all I ever hear back is the beagle across the street!

Dear God, When we get to Heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old story?

Dear God, Excuse me, but why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not one named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride! I know every breed cannot have its own model, but it would be easy to rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!

Dear God, If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear God, Is it true that in Heaven, dining room tables have onramps?

Dear God, If we come back as humans, is that good or bad?

Dear God, More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God, We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent IDs, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God, Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God, Is it true that dogs are not allowed in restaurants because we can't make up our minds what NOT to order? Or is it the carpets again?

Dear God, When my family eats dinner they always bless their food. But they never bless mine. So, I've been wagging my tail extra fast when they fill my bowl. Have you noticed my own blessing?

Dear God, The new terrier I live with just peed on the Oriental rug and I have a feeling my family might blame me 'cuz they think I'm jealous of this stupid dog. Since they have no sense of smell, how can I convince them I'm innocent? Does Petsmart sell lie detectors

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Author Unknown

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.
But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each days's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

Dogs needing new homes:  Adoption!         http://www.smallpawsrescue.org 

Rescue who have found new FOREVER Homes

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