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 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.
And as she
tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur
She told me
about 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 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;
Author’s note:
“When I wrote
this poem it was inspired by my foster Sheltie "Patchie" who by the way is
in a home where he is the light of their eyes. I think now that it is more in
the way I see the rescue efforts of all the people that are doing such a great
a job all over this country. So I wish to dedicate this poem to all of you in
rescue, the doers, the helpers, the donators of money and/or time and tears.
Please feel free to recopy, reprint or resend to anyone you would like to.”)
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