Rescue Poems & Prose #1
Rescue Help Needed ASAP!
Please help! After two long years of being on a waiting list for an exotic rare breed dog, we were finally notified by the breeder that at
long last, our number has come up, and... WE'RE HAVING A PUPPY!
We must IMMEDIATELY get rid of our children now, because we just KNOW how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be! Since our puppy
will be arriving on Monday, we MUST place the children in new homes this weekend!!!
They are described as:
One male, white, blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Name is Tommy. Temperament tested.
Current on all shots. Tonsils removed already and very healthy condition! Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained and gets along well with
others. Does not run with scissors and with a little time and training, he will do well in a new home
One female, strawberry blonde hair, green eyes. Three years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Her name is Mary. Temperament
tested, but needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy and happy
(mostly.) Gets along well with little boys, but does not like to share toys. She is house trained, and would do best in a one child household.
We really LOVE our children, and want to do what is best for them. I hope you understand, that ours is a UNIQUE situation, and we have a
real emergency here! They MUST be placed by Sunday night at the latest.
-- Author Unknown
Not An Angel
The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.
The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path."
"But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.
Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. After the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed it's head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.
The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered.
"No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked rescue."
-- Author Unknown
Today I Made A Difference
I'll never bring about world peace. I won't single handedly save the rain forest. I'm not a brain surgeon and I'll never transplant an organ to save a life. I don't have the ear of a powerful politician or world power. I can't end world hunger. I'm not a celebrity, and God knows I'm not glamorous! I'm not looked up to by millions around the world. Very few people even recognize my name. I'll never win the Nobel prize. I'll never save the rain forest or end global warming. There are a lot of things that I'll never do or become.
But today I placed a dog!
It was a small, scared, bundle of flesh and bones that was dropped off in a shelter by unfeeling people that didn't care what happened to it, but yet who were responsible for it even having existence in the first place.
I found it a home.
It now has contentment and an abundance of love. A warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. Two little boys have a warm fuzzy new friend who will give them unquestioning devotion and teach them about responsibility and love.
A wife and mother has a new spirit to nurture and care for.
A husband and a father has a companion to sit at his feet at the end of a hard day of work and help him relax and enjoy life. And a sense of security, that when he is gone all day at work, that there is a protector and a guardian in his home to keep watch over his family.
No, I'm not a rocket scientist. But today, I made a difference!
-- Cheryl Reed
I Have Done Something
I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society.
I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, and betrayal. And I was angry.
"God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?"
God was silent for a moment, and then He spoke softly, "I have done
something," he replied. "I created you."
-- Author Unknown
The Reason (to all rescuers from your rescue animals)
I would've died that day if not for you.
I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,
skin that isn't flea bitten,
good food and enough of it,
beds to sleep on,
someone to love me,
to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me...
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other pets like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair
Why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a
little tighter
Make just a little more room...to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason.
The pets before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.
-- Author Unknown
Rescued (Dedicated to Ketton Slip)
I sat in your kitchen and stared at you,
You were sitting beside me, unsure what to do.
I was always by myself, aloof and alone,
I had no idea what to do when you handed me a bone.
You reached down to give me a pat on the head,
I blinked and I ducked, so you let it be and said...
"You're very safe now, you'll no longer be beat,
Whenever you come to me, I'll give you a treat."
I heard your voice, so soft and sincere,
I looked into your eyes and you shed a tear.
My body is bruised, battered and scarred,
You couldn't figure out why it had gone this far.
I was born to work, my last owner said,
He never let me in, I was rarely fed.
My life was miserable, unhappy and bleak;
I refused to give in, even though I was weak.
I've fought many foes, not given a choice.
I couldn't back down, I had no voice.
One day you came and took me away,
The money you gave was a small price to pay.
As you look at me, I suddenly realize,
That it's tenderness and love I see in your eyes.
I now understand that you really do care,
Even though my looks are enough to scare.
To ease your concern, and to rid my fear,
I walk over to you and sit very near.
You move your hand near trying not to hurry,
I know you won't hurt me, there's no need to worry.
As your hand came to rest on the back of my neck,
This felt so very good, I thought, "Oh, what the heck!"
I moved to your lap without further ado...
You were so happy! You knew just what to do!
You rubbed my belly and scratched and tickled...
It felt so darned good, I nearly piddled!
I twisted and squirmed and had such a big grin,
You laughed and you smiled and scratched under my chin.
I sneezed and grunted with so much pleasure,
You asked how in the world did you find such a treasure.
You plopped down on the couch and beckoned me over,
I hopped in you lap, you said, "Such a lover!"
As we snuggled so close, I was in Heaven that night,
You whispered to me, "Never again shall you fight."
-- Ann at Sarian Farm
Second Chance Border Collie Rescue, Inc.
Healing Hands
Healing hands are what we bring
To this passion of our hearts
Taking broken souls and frames
We try to heal their parts.
We take unwanted from their homes
Take the sad ones from the pounds.
We lift alone ones off the streets
And turn lost ones into "founds."
With gentle care and food and love
These wee ones learn that life
Has much, much more to give to them
Than harsh words, hurt and strife.
They learn that hands can bring good things
Besides hard slaps and fear
That sweet caresses, cookies, hugs
Come to them when they draw near.
They learn that voices can be soft
And not hurt their tender ears
The angry sounds that cut like knives
Are now gone - washed 'way like tears.
Sometimes it's hard for us to bear
And continue on our way
Frustrated there are no foster homes
For the dog who came today.
We try and make room for one more
Within our own cramped space
Our own dogs sharing Mom or Dad
With yet another sad, small face.
How can we cope from day to day
With sad stories, extra fuss?
We, who have the healing hands
Who is it that heals us?
Surprisingly, our healing comes
From those we choose to heal
The love that's given back to us
When our hearts these wee ones steal.
Watching trust appear in eyes
Once so closed and shuttered in.
Watching flesh appear on ribs
On dogs who were so thin.
Dogs who came, afraid to move
For fear they might be kicked
Meet prospective parents at the door
Demanding THEY be picked
When the time has come to let them go
Off to forever homes
We remember that between new lives and past
We are their stepping stones.
The ones who come and can't be healed
Their small souls can't find peace
Or broken bodies too far gone
Are to the Bridge released.
This final gift that we can give
Is one given through our tears.
Release is given wrapped in our arms
Our love whispered in their ears.
The day we cross the Bridge ourselves
I know that we will meet
Rescued angels who've gone on ahead
They'll be clustered round our feet.
Smiling faces shining up
Bright eyes filled with love
We'll know that they've been watching us
From their soft cloud beds above.
As we helped them in their lives below
And taught them love and trust
They are now OUR stepping stones -
They've now rescued us.
-- Cyndee Walklet, March 2000