Paw's Place
Dedicated to People in Rescue
by Jean Illsche 6/21/98
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, and 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 then 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 a 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 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.
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 good-bye.
My love at death, it does not end;
because you are indeed, dog's best friend.
A Dog's Prayer
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.
Jackson's Eyes
For Tom, Sheryl and Matthew
In Memory of Jackson,
Golden Retriever
Our life was one of privilege
'til Jackson crossed the Rainbow Bridge
But the day will come when you and I
Find peace again in Jackson's eyes.
Until that time let's drift on back
'pon breezes sweet of fresh-cut grass,
Let's waft as bubbles through summer haze
And live again those Golden days.
...A Golden Boy with face aglow
Runs and laughs with Bubble-Blo
Streaking past this sun-kissed boy
Bounds Golden Dog unleashed in joy!
Flying, leaping through the air,
This wily dog with freaky hair
Tries snapping up those spheres of soap
He pants for more, "I Hope, I Hope!"
Sharing in this Kodak scene
Are Dad and Mom (the fitness queen)
As Jackson leaps too close and high
Dad shouts, "Watch out for the little guy!"
How could these two have realized
When taken in by chestnut eyes
That caring for this furry one
Would help prepare them for a son!
Now their son's a strapping pup
With years — and tears — of growing up
For clouds obscure the clear blue sky
They drift across Jack's lovely eyes.
Although he's ill Jack does not fret
He laps up all the love he gets
There is little that they will not spare
In loyal love, heroic care.
But comes one sacred August night
When Golden Dog meets Golden Light
Blessed with tears from Master's eyes
Jackson sleeps when Midnight's nigh.
With plume a-wagging, Jackson lopes
We're left behind, We're sad, we mope.
'Cross Rainbow Bridge and to Dog Heaven
He's at home in six minutes —seven.
Furry angels with no reserve
Throw Jack the party he deserves.
Back on Earth we pray he's fine
To ease our worries, God sends this sign;
Forever now when daylight's stolen
And clouds assume a soft red-golden
When copper colors warm the skies
We'll feel the love from Jackson's eyes.
Like rich brown caramel, soft and sweet
Those liquid eyes were full and deep.
Depending on the eyebrows' shift
He looked quite funny and sometimes miffed?
He taught us much, that furry beast
Compassion, Humor and Love on a leash.
Throughout his life, he opened our souls
To Joy, to Sorrow — both make us whole.
While we must grieve, let's not forget
Over the Rainbow we'll join our furry pet!
Yet, we feel we're not at all apart —
For Jack left pawprints on our hearts.
I'll never, ever forget you, Jack. Love, Ellen.
— Ellen Szalkinski
A Dog Sits Waiting
by Kathy Flood
A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun.
Too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.
He's been here for days now with nothing to do
But sit by the road, waiting for you.
He can't understand why you left him that day.
He thought you and he were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back, and that's why he stays.
How long will he suffer? How many more days?
His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched and dry.
He's sick now from hunger and falls, with a sigh.
He lays down his head and closes his eyes,
I wish you could see how a waiting dogs dies
I Live Among God's
Creatures Now
I live among God´s creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow´s hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God´s heavens
Among my doggie kind.
The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walking ways
Just waiting to be found.
I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in angel´s arms
Their wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent
And you reach Heaven´s gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait.
— Author unknown
Too Many!
I am jaded, I admit.
Having seen too much of man's inhumanity
Toward all creatures great and small,
I oft' despair of we, the so called "higher species," ever rising above
Our baser natures.
I am hardened, I confess.
Having witnessed so much unnecessary suffering
The result of the selfish ignorance and cruelty which
We so easily justify without conscience because we were
Mistakenly given dominion over the weak.
I am angry, I must say.
So sick in the deepest reaches of my soul That man, with so many
resources at his command
Has yet to end the needless deaths of those whom dominion gives us
Duty to provide for and protect.
!Too many! Far too many have I seen!
Too many kittens trapped, doused and set ablaze.
Too many puppies dumped from truck windows along lonely country roads.
Too many cats, unwanted, unloved, forming their own societies — increasing their own numbers without cease.
Too many hounds lying without shade or water — twenty to a tiny pen,
beaten and forgotten should they refuse to run.
Too many herders shot through with arrows and left to die — in the field
where the calf bolted.
Too many workers, beaten with sticks to make them sharp and violent and mistrustful.
Too many horribly scarred fighters, bloodied in forced battles then
discarded when they can no longer win.
Too many tiny ones, tossed across rooms — hitting walls, thumping broken
to the floor. Too many breeders living in squalor in tiny wire-bottom
boxes — never to know a gentle hand.
Too many too starved to stand without trembling, shying from the next
bullet or kick yet still patiently awaiting their master's return.
Too many millions each year born unwanted only to face death — in cold
chambers, struggling in fear, retching painfully as the air in their
bodies is replace by poison, starving them for breath.
Oh yes, I am jaded, hardened, angry and sick to the very depths of my soul —
Brows furrow, eyes glare, fists clench
spirit weeps in impotent rage.
And then ...
I am humbled, it is true.
Having witnessed the few
endeavouring against all the odds
To change the plight of the hungry, the homeless, the injured, the unwanted
Ever rising toward man's most shining example of selfLESSness.
I stand in awe of what we together can accomplish.
I am given hope — and joy!
As I reach down to rub my fingers through the furry miracle lying at my feet.I am warmed, I must say.
At the memory of a strong man before me just yesterday
Holding one of my tiny ones so tenderly in his massive arms,
His wife's eyes alite with excitement and protective love
Seeing not the bald patches of skin still healing
But seeing instead the frightened but beautiful soul
Beneath the growl,
They soothe her fear into hopeful kisses.
You are my hope, my inspiration, my courage, my conviction to go on when
I find myself so jaded, hardened, angry and soul sick that I would abandon
this unending battle we fight together.
It is you, my chosen family, who give me hope and joy, and laughter and support and the strength to go on.
I am deeply honoured and humbled to be amongst you.
— R.J.Decker 10-23-00
Looking for a Home
by Arlene Pace
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 gently 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 folks
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."
