Rescue Poetry

For The Rescuers

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 whatever 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 a 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 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 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 greive.

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 October 2000

Rescue Poem

I’m a little puppy, so cuddly, sweet and small I live inside a cage, you see at Pet Store in the mall. I’m not an only puppy, my sisters are all here. My brothers, too, except for Ralph who died coz he was scared.

It’s lonely here at nighttime when all the lights go dark, We tremble in our cages and we whimper and we bark. But no one comes to hold us or pet our fears away We sit all night in terror til the store opens next day.

We don’t remember mama, left so far behind she did the best she could for us til Man said “It is time.” He crammed us all in cages too small for us you see We rode for hours; we could not help but lay in poop and pee

And now we sit in Pet Store where kids come taunt and squeeze They do not hear our whimpers or understand our pleas We’re miserable and it’s scary here we all would rather die But since we don’t we do our best to run away and hide.

I know you think my story too sad to leave me be You want to take me home with you, a happy little puppy. But please, though it is fearful to live here against our will If you take me that leaves a spot another pup will fill.

You can stop our suffering but not by taking us home You must be strong and leave us here, unsold and all alone For if you do not take me, then another pup won’t come And maybe he will not be shipped so far away from home

Tho some of us may not survive the cycle ’ere it falls If we don’t sell they will not need more puppies in these halls And if they need no puppies then the Man will not bring more Eventually it can all stop!  You CAN close the door.

So when you see a puppy face so sad and sweet and small In a cage at Pet Store at your neighborhood shopping mall The best thing you can do for him is leave him sitting there That is the best way you can tell all dogs how much you care.

Amy Butcher, Ailea Shelties

Baggage

Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked into my warm new bed. I would like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry — So much to regret.

Hmm… Yes there it is, right on the top — Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss, And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave — I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, But I wasn’t good enough — for they didn’t want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things And take me right back?

Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, To never re-pack? I pray that you do — I’m so tired you see, But I do come with baggage — Will you still want me?

Evelyn Colbath

The Rescuer

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 that 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 that 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 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 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 rescuers,” said the first animal.

“So does GOD,” was the reply.

Author Unknown

Dedicated to People in Rescue
I wasn’t a pup when I came to your home, I’d been dumped on the road, left to roam.

Don’t remember the people except the pain. They left me to die in the cold and the rain.

You were driving down the highway, it was late at night When you saw the faintest glimmer of light.

You took a chance and turned around, Got out of the van and knelt to the ground. My quivering body felt the gentlest of hands.

I knew I need not make any demands. In your heart, and your home, there was always room For those who would face certain doom.

You healed my body and you healed my heart. You gave me what I needed, a fresh start.

When I cried at night, you were always there, With soft words, a kiss, a hug to share.

When I misbehaved and would cower with guilt, You only showed love. . . up to the hilt.

You loved and cared for me in sickness and health; Our love for each other was more precious than wealth.

Even when you were tired and had a bad day, You’d always come home to me and say, “I missed you my baby. I’m glad to be back.”

Then you’d give me kiss, a hug and a pat. We’d have a nice dinner then go out to play.

There was so much love I wanted to stay. But my eyes, they faded and my heart grew weak.

As my time grew closer you could not speak. You held me tight, tears flowed from your eyes; We both had to say our sad good byes.

The release from pain we knew must end No more time on this Earth would we spend. Running in the fields, playing ball, Sitting quietly together at the end of it all.

But our time together is not through, Because I’ll be there waiting for you. At the edge of the Rainbow Bridge I’ll stand, Until I once again see those gentle hands.

I’ll run to you with tail held high; We will never again have to say goodbye. My love at death, it does not end Because you are, indeed, dog’s best friend.

Jeane Illsche June 21, 1998

Bill
My name is Bill and I came from a place called a puppymill. It was a sad and terrible place, I guess you could even say it was a disgrace. My Mom she loved us every day but one day they came and took her away. They put us with others there were puppies galore, then shipped us off to a place called a pet store.

I waited for months for someone to buy me, then a couple came in and said he’ll work perfectly, and he’ll look so good under the Christmas tree Christmas came, and I was under the tree, and eveyone said they really loved me. They thought I looked like someone called Bill, I was excited it was quite a thrill. But Christmas was soon over and they threw the tree out, and I could see things were changing; I started to pout.

Months went by and no one seemed to care for me, the kids seemed to think more of technology. I guess I loved them more than they did me, but their only love was for a CD. One day my mom said Bill you are just a pest, you’ve got your damn hair all over my vest. The next day I was excited:  I was going for a ride, but when I got there I thought I had died

She took me into a scary place it was all new to me, she told the man she had to leave me because of something caled an allergy. I knew she had lied I wanted to scream, it seemed like a horrible, horrible dream. I was put in a cage with other dogs just like me, who had once started a happy life under a Christmas tree. I waited for someone to take me away, day after day after day after day.

One day I heard the man say Bill’s due out, as he looked at a room where dogs went in but never came out. The man came to get me and lead me away; I was afraid it was my last day. But just as I reached the place of doom, two smiling ladies came into the room. We are from rescue and we’re here to see Bill, I was so excited it was the ultimate thrill.

They pulled on my tail and tugged on my ears, I was so happy it brought me to tears. I knew at that moment that my life had changed, and my whole future had been rearranged. They took me to meet another lady who looked at me with kindness and compassion, and with a depthness of love that is always in fashion. I could tell by her smile and her gentle touch, that she loved all dogs so very, very, much.

And although she would just be my foster, she would do everything for me no matter how much it cost her. She searched and searched to find the perfect family for me, a mom a dad and children, three. Now it is Christmas and I have a loving family, no longer a discarded dog from under a Christmas tree. I’m loved and respected and well fed, and I love dozing in my fluffy new bed.

But I can’t help but thinking of those who helped me, their kindness, their caring, and sacrifices too, all to help a dog’s dreams come true. You have all passed the rescue test, you are the kindest, you are the best. Merry Christmas to all on a cold December night from a dog who can’t read and a dog who can’t write. But sometimes miracles happen too, and I hope at this Christmas one happens for you. Love, Bill

Warren Connor December 2004

A Foster Dog

Lord,

Thank You for bringing this foster dog into my life.  Had I not made the decision to participate in rescue, I would never have had the chance to meet this wonderful being. 

Yes, it takes time to rescue and foster…  but who gave me Time in the first place?  And why or what was the reason I was given Time?  To fill my own needs?  Or was there another reason ever so small and seemingly insignificant, like rescuing this one dog, that could make a difference in another’s life?  Perhaps to add joy, hope, help and companionship to another who is in need? 

With great sadness, I sat down on a footstool in my kitchen this morning and watched as this foster dog bounced back into the house and skidded across the floor to sit ever so perfectly in front of me.  He was the picture of health, finally.  He was all smiles for me…  and I smiled back at his happy face.  Deep in his eyes, the storm clouds of illness and generalized poor health had blown away, and the clear light of his perfection radiated out from his beautiful soul.  He holds no ill will toward man.  He forgives us all.

I thought to myself as I impressed this one last long look of him into my heart, what a very fine creature You have created.  Tears slowly pooled and spilled over my cheekbones as the deeper realization of how wonderful this dog is sank into my internal file cabinet of Needful Things to Remember.  Lord, he’s a dog—but he’s a better human being than I am.

He has forgiven quickly.  Would I do the same?  He passionately enjoys the simple things in life.  And I have often overlooked them.  He accepts change and gets on with his life.  I fuss and worry about change.  He lives today and loves today.  And I often dwell in the past or worry about the future.  He loves no matter what.  I am not that free. 

This very lovely dog has gone to his new home today and already I miss him.  Thank You for bringing this dog into my life.  And thank You for the beautiful and tender lesson on how to be a better human.

Grace Saalsaa
Mid-American Border Collie Rescue