Dog and Cat Poetry

Treat me kindly

my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more

grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand

between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me

the things you would have me do.

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 your footstep falls upon my

waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated

animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than

the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no

home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the

softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I

am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you

were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food,

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, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my

health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in

your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I

will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest

in your hands.

By: Beth Norman Harris

The Rescue Poem

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 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."

Arlene Pace - September 18, 1998

Tray's Poem

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,

Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,

You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,

And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,

You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,

To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,

My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.

And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

Leslie Whalen

Dog On Loan

"I'll lend you for a little time, a dog of mine God said.

For you to love while she lives

and mourn when she is dead.

The years they may be six or ten

or even as few as three.

But will you, 'til I call her back,

take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you,

and shall her stay be brief,

You'll have her lovely memories as solace

for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,

since all from Earth return,

But there are lessons taught down there

I want this dog to learn.

I've looked the wide world over,

in my search for masters true,

And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,

I have selected you.

Now will you give her your love,

nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call

to take her back again?

We answered in sincerity, Dear Lord, Thy will be done.

For all the joy this dog shall bring,

the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,

and love her while we may,

And for the happiness we will know,

we'll ever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for her

much sooner than we planned,

We'll know the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand."

Author Unknown

Waiting..

I'm waiting here in foster care for you to come and see
The one the others have passed by - Please stop and look at me!

I'm not alone here in my quest to find myself a place
Where someone will have love for me and softly stroke my face.

We're not so young in years they say, although we're young at
heart
If you'll take a chance with us - please know we will do our part.

Our faces have a bit of white, our legs a slower gait
Our hearts so full of love to give - but still we sit and wait.

A younger dog is what folks want, one who romps and plays
They won't take time to look at us - just think we're old and
gray.

Little do they know the things we have to offer them
Manners learned and quiet souls - good dogs all we've been.

There are those here too whose souls were damaged and in pain
Before they came to this safe place and learned to trust again.

When new folks come and look at them, they seem withdrawn and
shy.
Time is all they need to learn that new bonds they can tie.

Patience, love and gentle hands is all they ask of you
In exchange - their hearts they give you in their lives so new.

We may not be the perfect dogs in everybody's eye -
Too big, too small, too brown, too blue, too black, too old, too shy.

But, unless you sit and take the time and see all that we can be
You'll miss the best that is right here - Please stop - HEY - Look at ME!

When I Got My New Dog

I asked for strength that I might rear her perfectly;

I was given weakness that I might feed her more treats.

I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;

I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.

I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;

I was given a clown that I might laugh.

I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;

I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.

I got nothing I asked for,

But everything that I needed.

Author Unknown