Cross Breeds

Do you know of any poems of stories or letters, etc. telling the story of shelter dogs?

I have seen several of them, each one sadder than the one before it. I would really like to know of any that you have seen or heard of as maybe there are ones out there that I haven't read yet. Thanks! Oh and here's one that I read most recently: Hello, you have reached 1-800-753-1234, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation: Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away. Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog. Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the! only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is not going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it. Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 19 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion to do a spay-abort. Press 26 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 28 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered. Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 30 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 32 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 33 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 35 if you went through all t Press 35 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family. ~Author Unknown

Public Comments

1. This was posted on Craigslist in Michigan, author unknown. I saw it when it was posted on FUGLY horse of the day. http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/06/definitely-best-of-craigslist.html ---------------- Great News for Pet Owners in West Michigan! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2009-04-22, 2:24PM EDT After an exhaustive effort, I now have research to prove that you can take pets with you when moving! Yes, it's true, and has been verified by many outside sources in the know. This includes: *Moves to neighboring states *Moves across country *Moves within Michigan *Moves within the city that you currently reside. It turns out that in every city they having housing that allows pets. So, the best course of action would be if you(the pet owner) sought out one of these housing options(that allow pets) instead of inquiring on housing that does not allow pets(since you have a pet). I know, it seems complicated so let me use an analogy. Example: If you are a smoker and want to rent a hotel room, you will want to book a "SMOKING ROOM" Now, if you call about a "NON SMOKING" room, you will not be able to smoke in said room. Which is bad, as you are a smoker, and enjoy smoking. See how that works! Simple! Also, while my research is not entirely complete, there is strong evidence that suggests you do NOT need to give up pets either prior to or proceeding the birth of any of your children. You can have pets and kids. Seriously, it's true...look it up. They(your children) might even learn some traits such as compassion, responsibility, and accountability(I know big words, look them up) if they(your children) are raised in a house with pets(the ones you committed to prior to the children)! I thought my findings were just too good to keep to myself. So, pass them on to any pet owners you know!
2. I don't know if you have seen this one yet but this is by far the saddest poem I ever read 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.
3. I found this poem in a pet magazines and carry it in my wallet. THE CREATION When God had made the earth and sky, the flowers and the trees, He then made all the animals ,the fish ,the birds and bees. And when at last He'd finisihed not one was quite the same. He said " I'll walk this world of mine and give each a name." And so He traveled far and wide and everywhere He went a little creature followed Him until its strength was spent. When all were named upon the earth and in the sky and sea the little creature said " Dear Lord there's not one left for me!" Kindly the father said to him " Ive left you to the end. I've turned my own name back to front and called you DOG, my friend. Author unknown
4. So many heartbreaking stories. I really like this one but can't remember where I originally got it. I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. I rescued a human today.
5. This is one that always makes me cry: http://jimwillis0.tripod.com/tiergarten/id21.html
6. I have a few =] Y!A is being stupid though and won't let me post, so I'll just provide links x.x http://www.dogster.com/forums/Shelters_Rescue_and_Fostering/thread/624870 http://www.dogster.com/forums/Shelters_Rescue_and_Fostering/thread/625436 http://www.dogster.com/forums/Shelters_Rescue_and_Fostering/thread/625435
7. CANINE NEWS - Poems This poem, by Sandi Thompson, *SHOULD* make you cry...I hope it does! Thanks to all the rescue centers! DO I GO HOME TODAY My family brought me home one day cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me, and said I was full charm. They played with me and laughed with me they showered me with toys. I sure do love my family especially the 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 my leash, I'm very proud to say. These are things I'll never forget a cherished memory. I now live in a 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 ones and the new. The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bathroom rug. They said that I was out of control. and would have to live outside. This I did not understand although I tried and tried. The walks stopped one by one, they said they hadn't 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 a shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then kissed me goodby. If I'd only had some classes, 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 the worker say. Does this mean a second chance? Do I go home today?
8. One by One One by one, they pass 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. 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 the 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 grieve. 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.. - Author Unknown The Longest Walk http://bcrescue.net/long_walk.htm I Found Your Dog Today... http://bcrescue.net/found_your_dog.htm A Day in the Life of A Rescuer... http://bcrescue.net/day_rescuer.htm "What it takes to do Rescue" http://bcrescue.net/what_it_takes.htm