SPCA of TN

Poems, Songs & Stories

The Adoption

He was born on a warm summer’s day

Nestled close to his mother forever to stay

But he was taken away before he could grow

To be trained with the others to be part of the show

But he would not do what they would demand

He could not dance and bark on command

So they put him in a bag and threw him in a trash bin

Less than a year old, his life surely to end

But he would not die that day

Someone heard his cries and took him away

But they did not want him so they took him to the pound

To wait with all the others hoping for a home to be found

Alone and scared he was placed in a crate

He was running out of time, euthanasia to be his fate

But on a cold winter’s night amongst the snow and the fog

I went to my local shelter in search of a dog

When I first saw him he was shaking and frail

But when our eyes met, he started wagging his tail

The tears started to flow my heart bursting with joy

I knew I had found him a little bundle of joy

I told the tech that he was the one

I picked him up and the licking begun

Warmth rushed over me like a beacon of light

I adopted him, but he saved my life that night

I was lucky I got to take him away

But there are thousand who are put down every day

So before you go to a breeder and spend one thin dime

Remember these words because precious ones are running out of time

Don’t breed or buy

While shelter dogs die

I found your dog today...

I found your dog today.

No, he has not been adopted by anyone. Most of us who live out here own as many dogs as we want. Those who do not own dogs do so because they choose not to.

I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left him out here, but he did not.

When I first saw him, he was miles from the nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, thin, and limping from a cactus burr in his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To have seen his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing that you had not forgotten him.

To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his never ending quest to find you...

But I was not you.

And despite all my persuasion, his eyes beheld a stranger. He did not trust and he would not come to me.

He turned and continued his journey, one he was sure would soon bring him to you.

He does not understand you are not looking for him. He only knows you are not there. He only knows he must find you.

This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things.

Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile. I did not even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met

I could see no sign of him but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest.

You see, he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away any instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn't know that the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited, hoping he would return to the tree. Hoping my gift would build a an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you is now over.

He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were still untouched. And I worried.

You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you thought you saved him from would be preempted by his suffering from days without food and water.

I returned before dark. I did not see him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water still untouched.

If only you were here so you could call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him.

I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate. It could take him many miles in 24 hours.

It is hours later and a good distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog. His thirst has been stopped. It is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared. He no longer aches.

The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your dog has been set free from his burdens.

You see, your dog has died. I kneel next to him, and I curse you for not being here yesterday so I could have seen the glow, if just for a moment, in those now vacant eyes.

I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I think you had hoped he would find.

If only you knew what he went through to reach it....

.....and I agonize, for I know that were he to awaken at this moment, and if I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail wag with forgiveness.

Author Unknown

Send a Rescue Person

A Poem...

Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.

I was 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 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 gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And toll me off my feet.

“No one again will hut you
What 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 affraid I must admit.
I’ve lived so long in fear.
I can’t remember when I left
A human came 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
I wasn’t meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazzing 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
Sept 18th, 1998

Musings ... "Just a Dog"

by Richard Biby, Contributing Editor

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look long ingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”

A Mother's Love

by Sabrina

Every year around this time, we have a sparrow take up residency in a nest that sits on the ledge outside of our bedroom window. The same nest has been there for almost two years. Last year we watched as a sparrow laid three eggs. Once they hatched it was around a three week period until the juveniles were old enough to fly off. Sadly, we knew they wouldn't return again until this May or June. Sure enough, at the first of May we watched as a sparrow laid four eggs. Once hatched the juveniles grew at an unbelievable rate and before we knew it the nest was empty once again. We were sad to know that the nest would not be occupied again for another year.

Last week I happen to pass by the window and noticed three new blue eggs! I couldn't believe it, because last year after the one sparrow had used the nest, no other birds took up residency once she was done. Since last week, we've been checking daily on the nest to see if the new eggs had hatched. A few days ago they finally hatched to reveal three pink, hairless chicks. When we would check on the nest by getting near to the window, the mother would spot us even when she was on the ground and would obviously see us as a threat and take off into a territorial tirade with squawking and aggressively flying by the window. It was amazing to see the natural instinct for her to want to protect her babies from any harm. Last night we had a terrible t-storm come through our county. The winds were so high that huge trees in our front yard were bending at its mercy. The rain was coming down in huge waves and even though it was daylight, the sky was very dark. For some reason I thought of these baby birds, in their cradle of a nest and wondered if they would make it through the high winds. When I peeked out my bedroom window I was truly amazed at what I saw! The mother of the baby birds was perched on the side of the nest with her wings expanded over the entire width of the nest shielding her babies from the wind and rain. Her head was tucked down and you could see that she was struggling to stay perched with the winds whipping her tiny body. It was amazing to me to see her determination to protect the babies. As I watched her I couldn't help but think what a wonderful creation God has made for us. It also dawned on me how God planted in the hearts of all "mothers" a natural instinct to want to protect their young, whether they are bird or human. For me, it was a glimpse at motherly love that I had never experienced before then.

I am an animal rescuer

One explanation...

My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the need to fulfill their needs
I take in new family members without plan, thought or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times and I have cried into the fur of a
lifeless body

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends
I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time

I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven
But I believe there are, why would God make something so perfect and leave
it behind
We may be master of the animals, but the animals have mastered themselves,
something people still haven't learned.

War and Abuse makes me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quiet but determined army
And making a difference ever day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan
nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play who only days ago, was too
weak to eat.

I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done,
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full

In the game of life, we have already won !

~ Written from the heart by:

Annette King-Tucker
Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue
Claremore, Ok
www.wildheartranch.org

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 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 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.

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Thanks to all of you for all you do!!!

Prayer of a Stray

Dear God please send me somebody who'll care
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain,
And dear God I pray as I run in the rain
That someone will love me and give me a home.
A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water and God that was hard

So I chewed my leash God and I ran away
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God I'm tired and hungry and cold
And I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones
While I run the streets just looking for bones.

I'm not really bad God, please help if you can,
For I have just become "a victim of man".
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas
And All that I want is an owner to please.

If you find one for me God,
I'll try to be good And I won't chew on their shoes,
But I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey
When they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay.

I don't think I'll make it too long on my own,
Cause I'm getting weak and I'm so all-alone.

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
Cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm going to die
And I've got so much love and devotion to give
That I should be given a chance to live.
So dear God please, please answer my prayer