Category: stories + poems

http://rescuemedog.org/dog-blog/i-rescued-a-human-today-by-janine-allen/

Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer.

Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability.

Copyright 2008 Rescue Me Dog; www.rescuemedog.org

Janine@RescueMeDog.org
760-774-4422 CA
760-779-0559 Fax
307-329-8111 WY

Once I was a Lonely Dog
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 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 ’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 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.”

Dedicated to those that make a difference in the lives of animals,
everyday.

Thanks very much to Tricia for sending us this beautiful poem for those who have lost a friend

Last Night
I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you; I smiled and said, “It’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me to be near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew…
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over…I smile and watch you yawning
And say, “Goodnight, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…then come home to be with me.
“Thank you for loving me enough to set me free”

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all
of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is
plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and
vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The
animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His
eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying
over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally
meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your
pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown

from RainbowsBridge.com

 

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

 

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

 

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

 

With no thought of the dog filling their head

 

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap

 

Knew he was cold, but didn’t care about that

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

 

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter

 

Away to the window I flew like a flash

 

Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

 

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below

 

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear

 

But Santa Claus – with eyes full of tears

 

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick

 

Last year’s Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick

 

More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name

 

And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain

 

“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

 

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

 

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

 

Let’s find this dog a home where he’ll be loved by all.”

 

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year

 

For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear

 

The gift of a dog is not just for the season

 

We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons

 

In our haste to think of the
kids a gift

 

There was one important thing that we missed

 

A dog should be family, and cared for the same

 

You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain

 

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight

 

“You weren’t given a
gift! You were given a LIFE!”

 

Author Unknown

 

Tail tucked between your legs,
Confusion in your eyes
I know it’s hard to understand
That someone heard your cries.

 

When loneliness is all you know
And pain is all you feel
And no one can be trusted
And hunger’s all too real.

 

That’s the time the Lord sees you
And lets you know He’s there
That’s when He sends His messengers
The hearts that love and care.

 

Yes, rescuers are angels
You cannot see their wings
They keep them neatly folded
As they do their caring things.

 

The medicine to make you well,
Good food to make you strong.
And finally to help you learn
That hugs are never wrong.

 

The perfect place then must be found
The home where you can live
Secure and safe and happy
With joy to get and give.

 

When you reach your Forever Home,
Your place to feel whole.
The angels smile and off they go
To save another soul.

 

Author Unknown