A Pet's Ten Commandments
- My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Remember that before you buy me.
- Give me time to understand what you want of me. Don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.
- Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.
- Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.
- Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.
- Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it and if it's cruel, it may affect me forever.
- Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
- Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.
- Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and
- On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.
For the Rescuers
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 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 a 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 about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, “We are a circle, a line that never ends.
And in the centre 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.”
Arlene Pace September 18, 1998
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 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 a 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 about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, “We are a circle, a line that never ends.
And in the centre 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.”
Arlene Pace September 18, 1998
Rescuers Are Angels
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 sole.
Author Unknown
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 sole.
Author Unknown
I went out to rescue a dog that day
I went out
to rescue a dog that day
To give him a really good life
To take him away from the life that he led
And free him from trouble and strife
I thought I would do him a favour
And be a good person to him
And go do my bit for the country
I didn't go out on a whim
But what do you think really did happen?
The day that I did my good deed,
I discovered a love that I'd dreamed of
And fulfilled in myself a strong need.
I now have a dog that I care for,
I see things that I needed to see.
That lovely dog that I rescued
Really ended up rescuing me.
To give him a really good life
To take him away from the life that he led
And free him from trouble and strife
I thought I would do him a favour
And be a good person to him
And go do my bit for the country
I didn't go out on a whim
But what do you think really did happen?
The day that I did my good deed,
I discovered a love that I'd dreamed of
And fulfilled in myself a strong need.
I now have a dog that I care for,
I see things that I needed to see.
That lovely dog that I rescued
Really ended up rescuing me.
Just a Staffy Cross
Today is just another day - to me they're all the same
I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the "Staffy" shame.
The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home.
Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels all alone.
My mum was "just a Staffy", my father - well who knows?
Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.
And then begins the process, of money-making deals
A life of "moving on" unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?
If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours
But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.
You brought me for your image, thought I'd make you look more tough
But you'll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.
If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise
You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.
I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see
You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.
And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime
The retail on an adult staff - not worth the waste of time.
So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know?
Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?
Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffy now?"
The "Staffy" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.
Me, I was put into a car and driven far away
The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.
It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you
You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.
I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.
Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.
Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim
The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.
This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up
If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup
As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh
I'm sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.
- Trudie James -
I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the "Staffy" shame.
The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home.
Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels all alone.
My mum was "just a Staffy", my father - well who knows?
Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.
And then begins the process, of money-making deals
A life of "moving on" unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?
If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours
But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.
You brought me for your image, thought I'd make you look more tough
But you'll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.
If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise
You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.
I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see
You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.
And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime
The retail on an adult staff - not worth the waste of time.
So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know?
Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?
Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffy now?"
The "Staffy" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.
Me, I was put into a car and driven far away
The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.
It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you
You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.
I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.
Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.
Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim
The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.
This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up
If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup
As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh
I'm sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.
- Trudie James -
English Bull Terrier
They look only unto my
breed,
Then shake their heads and close
their eyes,
Oblivious to my heart, life or
need
And ignore my silent waning
cries.
For what I am is all that they
see,
And too soon assume what is not
true,
I cannot be trusted due to breeds
history,
No matter what my angels
say,
There's nothing they can
do.
So I'll end my days here in a
cage,
Alone and cold in the
pound
Without the chance to live my
age
And be lovingly buried in the
ground
Is it possible to leave at a
lower line
Then to what I've fallen, to my
shame?
I have nothing left to show for
my time,
Not a friend nor foe nor even a
name...
I dislike other dogs, yes that's
true,
But so do many other
strays
Yet they get the chance to escape
through
And live their life in carefree
days.
Goodbye dear life, and what I've
known,
I give up now this hopeless
fight,
Too much for man my breed has
shown
Another innocent dog sent soul to
flight...
By Moya
Muldowney, 20.
Rescue Dog Poem
A rescue dog will have a tale to
tell
It may be sad, or of a life of Hell
It may be a story of a once loved pup
Who found herself homeless when a marriage broke up
Or a faithful companion, who's owner's passed on
And the poor little dog doesn't know where they've gone.
Or of a dog that’s been beaten, never had the chance to ‘live’
And yet gain his trust - he’ll have so much love to give.
A pup that grew out of the cute, cuddly stage,
Has grown big and unruly and is now at ‘that age’
So he gets given away, it’s such a shame
When it’s the lack of training that’s really to blame.
Some rescue dogs may be quite old
Just need a nice home, out of the cold
A warm cozy bed, for weary old bones
No dog should spend it’s last days on it’s own.
Rescue dogs can be misunderstood
Often seen as damaged goods
But a ‘pre-owned’ dog has much to offer
And compared to a pup, can be far less bother
A rescue dog may not know how to play
But a little bit of kindness should show them the way.
Some rescue dogs will have great credentials,
Others show promise and heaps of potential.
Some need guidance, to learn how to trust
For others, some training will be a must
But what you put in, you’ll get back tenfold
A loyal friend, with a heart of gold
He may be pure, cross or mixed breed
But one things for sure-he’ll be in need
Of a loving home, a new 'mum' or 'dad'
Surely with this, he'll stop being so sad.
A rescue dog is a breed apart
Please find space for one in your heart.
By Karen Folkes 2009
It may be sad, or of a life of Hell
It may be a story of a once loved pup
Who found herself homeless when a marriage broke up
Or a faithful companion, who's owner's passed on
And the poor little dog doesn't know where they've gone.
Or of a dog that’s been beaten, never had the chance to ‘live’
And yet gain his trust - he’ll have so much love to give.
A pup that grew out of the cute, cuddly stage,
Has grown big and unruly and is now at ‘that age’
So he gets given away, it’s such a shame
When it’s the lack of training that’s really to blame.
Some rescue dogs may be quite old
Just need a nice home, out of the cold
A warm cozy bed, for weary old bones
No dog should spend it’s last days on it’s own.
Rescue dogs can be misunderstood
Often seen as damaged goods
But a ‘pre-owned’ dog has much to offer
And compared to a pup, can be far less bother
A rescue dog may not know how to play
But a little bit of kindness should show them the way.
Some rescue dogs will have great credentials,
Others show promise and heaps of potential.
Some need guidance, to learn how to trust
For others, some training will be a must
But what you put in, you’ll get back tenfold
A loyal friend, with a heart of gold
He may be pure, cross or mixed breed
But one things for sure-he’ll be in need
Of a loving home, a new 'mum' or 'dad'
Surely with this, he'll stop being so sad.
A rescue dog is a breed apart
Please find space for one in your heart.
By Karen Folkes 2009
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