Sunday, April 26, 2009

I rescued your dog today (a rescuer's poem)

I rescued your Dog today...
The one you left at the pound,
The one you had for five years,
And then no longer wanted around!

I rescued your Dog today...
Do you know that he's lost weight?
Do you know that he's scared and confused
And has lost all of his faith?

I rescued your Dog today...
He had fleas and a terrible cold,
But don't you worry yourself -
You've unburdened YOUR load.

I rescued your Dog today...
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did he suddenly get too big?
Or was there some other reason he couldn't stay?

I rescued your Dog today...
He doesn't play or eat very much.
He's very wary and depressed right now
But, with time, will learn again to trust.

I rescued your Dog today...
And right here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed on which to lay.

I rescued your Dog today...
I will give him all that he could need -
With patience, love, and understanding.
Hopefully, he forgets your selfish deed!

I rescued your Dog today!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Not enough time

In rescue we see this story played over and over, thousands of times every day. A new baby arrives, or a new job, a new boyfriend or girlfriend, the cute little puppy is now an adult, and suddenly there's "not enough time" for him. So their owners take them to the shelter to be killed. Owner surrenders can be killed before the owners even get back in their car. Here's one dog's perspective of "not enough time".

Dear Mom and Dad,

This is Blackie writing you. Betcha didn't know I could write, huh? Well, I can. Anyways I wanted to write you a quick email to let you know I'm not mad anymore and I understand. I was really mad when you brought me here to the Shelter. You told them you didn't have enough time for me. I was mad because I didn't think I took that much of your time. I mean I know the baby takes a lot of time, but really all you needed to do was give me food and water every day, make sure I get my heartworm medicine every month, and my shots once a year. I mean it was max 5 minutes a day. And when you had a few minutes to pet me and toss a ball for me to play with - well that was great. (You know you spent more time on me the day you took me to the Shelter than any other day I can remember.)

I was really really mad that day. See, I really didn't have a lot of stuff to do and no deadlines to meet so I really had no idea what "not enough time" means.

But I understand now. I have the same problem. See, I have just 24 hours to find a rescue. And I'm really scared that's not "enough time". After all, they don't know how good a dog I am. They don't know that I am a loyal companion - that I listen really great and that I love to walk in the dog park. And that more than anything else I want to have someone who will play with me, and tell me what a good dog I am. Did you know that I really love to have my ears brushed? And that I'm a spaniel? That's ok - I didn't either. I learned that here from a girl named Taryn. She's cool. She's even trying to get me some more time.

Well, I'd better hurry. I don't have "enough time" to really write this well. I have to really pray hard that God finds me a rescue. Because I don't have "a lot of time" left right now. My new friend in the dog run next to me ran out of time yesterday. I hope I'm not next.

Anyways I'm not mad anymore. I know what it means not to have enough time.

High Paws!
Blackie