A dog's poem... Do I go home today?

[KaterBell]

This makes me want to go out and rescue some dogs from the pound... I cried when I read it.

========================
Do I go Home Today?
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 - a cherished 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?

 

[chesirechik]

Tissue alert! Geez, that was so sad - and very true!!

 

[TwinMom7]

Well....THAT just brought the tears....as I sit hear looking at our full blooded cocker spaniel, Rigby. We found him two years ago - dropped off at our local shelter. All they told us was that the owner had an infant and a toddler and they couldn't "handle" him.

Our vet told us that someone had paid BIG BUCKS for him as a puppy, and then dumped him off at 11 months old.

He now lives the life described early in that poem and I'm very proud that we have given him the life he deserves.

Rigby was the BEST $75 I ever spent!!!!!

 

[KaterBell]

God bless you for rescuing that puppy!!

You're right - sounds like the exact situation in that poem. It happens ALL too often..

I know that after 101 Dalmations came out a lot of Dalmations were abandoned to shelters when people realized that these dogs are just NOT supposed to be family pets - high energy and a lot of time required.... Sometimes I wish people should have to pass a test before they're allowed to bring home a dog!! Dogs aren't "Instant" pets.... they need consistant training and *shock* daily attention to be a good dog...

*sigh*...

 

[Chattyaholic]

That's not something one should read when they're already a bit depressed...

 

[Kallison]

We got our Sammie lab at 11 mos. old too. For the first 6 months he drove me crazy, destroyed so much stuff. Apparently his first owners kept him crated all day and I'm sure when they let him out after work/school he went beserk! I refused to crate the big cement head, so now I say he trained us -- to keep our stuff out of the way. A couple of times I half heartedly said - he has got to go, but I knew there was no way we were returning him. The biggest lifesaver was our invisible fence he kept running away under our pool fence. He just turned 4 on Wednesday, he is such a part of our family. He sleeps on the bed with DH and I, he is our 85 lb. hairy toddler that never grows up. He always is happy to see us, doesn't talk back, always giving kisses. My good friend has a golden retriever that she rescued at 7 years old, they are the 4th owners. He is such a sweetie, he just shoves his head in your stomach as soon as you walk in the door for a petting. They can't leave him in the kennel so we take him during vacation time. I'll never get a dog from a breeder, there are too many dogs out there who need a home.

 

[KaterBell]

Where do you take him on vacation that allows dogs?? That is awesome!!