Stray --Written By Meleigha Holt If an animal talked, He'd tell you a tale, Of the days he walked, The roads that failed, For he was a stray, No place to go, He wanders all day, His head low, No one to play, A game of throw, These are the dogs, With no place to go. Do I Go Home Today? --Written By Sandi Thompson 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 little 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 - acherished 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 one and the new. The kids and I would grab a rug, for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug. They said I was out of control and would have to live outside. This I didn't understand, although I tried and tried! The walks stopped one by one; they said they hadn't the 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 embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye. If I'd only had some training 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 a worker say. Does that mean I have a second chance? Do I go home today? A Poem To My Foster Dog --Written By Diane Morgan, Copyright 1999 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. If You Can --Unknown Author, 1982 If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get going without pep pills, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him, If you can face the world without lies and deceit, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics, Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog. I'm a LUCKY Rescued Rottweiler! --Written by Patty Govoni, June 2001 I'm not sure why I ended up unwanted It doesn't matter anymore YOU decided I was worthy And opened up your door Thank you for accepting me And all my baggage too I'm really glad you understand We both have work to do Show me what you want from me Help me be a star! Together we will show the world How truly great we are! I don't come with a guarantee It's always day to day I'll be your loyal loving friend Until it's time for me to go away A Poem for a Rehabber --Unknown Author I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and all that is deserving in animals. I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety, and uphold their right to a natural death. I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved and the abandoned, and tend to them in their last days. I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other's paths. I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives, and to the beauty they bestow on our souls. I shall restore their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper and comfort them when they mourn. I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need -a companion and a friend when their time has come. I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love. In their company, I shall indeed be blessed. The Rescue Rainbow --Author Unknown 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 watched 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 infirm. 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 awhile 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 person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. 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." "I think I like rescuer's," said the first animal. "So does GOD," was the reply. Dedicated to the lives we could not save.

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