Day 4

Monday, December 17, 2007


On the fourth post of Christmas I'm going to share with thee...

A Poem Remembering those that are in Need

Hi...It's Michele, Ruby's Mom here. I thought I would get in on the 12 Posts action today. I found this poem that really touched my heart. It's sad, but very important to remember. Ruby isn't a rescue pup, but I know one day when we can, we will open our home to a pup in need like so many of you have. In case it sounds familiar, Butchy & Snickers also posted it, but I thought it is so important, that I posted it again!

I dedicate this post to Maryann from the Brat Pack. Your love and dedication to rescue is inspiring.

A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full - we are lost, but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care,
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!
But now we sit here and think of the days...
we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew
now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?
We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call",
we "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam-
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone...
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads...
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears -
our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.
If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn -
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year -
can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
and help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.

--Author Unknown

During this holiday season of joy and plenty, don't forget about these pups and donate to your local rescue or shelter.

Comments

15 Responses to "Day 4"

Peanut said... 8:43 AM

Our grammie has rescued every animal she has at this date. Plus mom got Flash off Petfinder. We love that poem.

Petra said... 9:33 AM

That's the first time I heard that poem. It's so sad. Thanks for posting it and inspiring me to remember my friends who are less fortunate than I.

Molly the Airedale said... 9:43 AM

We've seen this poem many times before but we read it again and again! It's a wonderful poem!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Clover said... 10:16 AM

Hi Ruby and Michele,
Thanks for sharing that poem. Stuff like that always makes my mom have tears.
My mom wants me to say thank you for posting those cookie recipes! She has to bake this week and she is going to try some of those!!
Love Clover xo
P.S. Ruby - I love the picture of you in your hat and scarf - you are so cute!

Jake of Florida said... 10:55 AM

Mom read the poem again too, and can't help but cry again at the thought of all those loving so vulnerable dogs who need homes. Before she found me, she and Dogdad went to the humane society here half a dozen times to see if they could find a dog 25 pounds or less - to meet our homeowners' association requirements. No luck. That's when they went to a pet store and found me -- so I'm a lucky dog and in a way, I consider myself "rescued." And then they rescued Just Harry for real a few years later from a shelter.

But she has engraved indelibly in her mind the image at the humane society of a beautiful but sad grown black lab wearing a red turtleneck being taken into a cubicle for an "interview." And the sad eyes of all the other grown-up dogs in their cages.

Jake

Mack said... 12:21 PM

Oh that is indeed so sad to think of the fate of so many homeless animals out there. Thank you Ruby and Michelle for reminding us how important it is to support your local animal rescue.
Sugars, Mack

The Brat Pack said... 12:39 PM

Thank you both for posting this and dedicating it to me. I had never read this before and am printing it out. :)

The adult and senior dogs in the shelter just break my heart. Not that I don't love the puppies, but it's those that have that look in their eyes like they know what they're missing out on. :(

Hope you're ready for Christmas, I can't believe it's next week already!

Maryann

The Brat Pack said... 12:39 PM

Thank you both for posting this and dedicating it to me. I had never read this before and am printing it out. :)

The adult and senior dogs in the shelter just break my heart. Not that I don't love the puppies, but it's those that have that look in their eyes like they know what they're missing out on. :(

Hope you're ready for Christmas, I can't believe it's next week already!

Maryann

Tadpole said... 4:07 PM

Oh good grief. My girl just read the post from Thrawn's mom, and now this... I don't know WHEN she'll stop crying....

Sam Iam said... 4:29 PM

A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. Don't bite him.

Wishing You All Merry Christmas
A Happy New Years,

Lot's of Lick's
Sam

Lorenza said... 8:36 PM

Hi, Ruby
Thanks for sharing this poem. Yes, my mom is crying too!
Sure we all can do something for those who need.
Have a good night
Lorenza

Stanley said... 11:11 PM

Ruby Bug!

I'm so glad you have a home and are MY bug. I love you and your mama for posting this poem. You know, that was me last Christmas. Granted, I was in a kennel and Airedale Rescue was looking for a family for me, so I had more hope than most of those pups in the poem.

My girl has only ever had rescue dogs. She's always lived on the fringe (so to speak), so she's got a special spot in her hearts for anydog who didn't fit in with some family's expectation of who they should be.

Can't believe it's almost Christmas!

Goober love & a white hot smooch for you, and sweet smooches for your mama,
Stanny

Amber-Mae said... 11:29 PM

Wonderful poem. Wish more hoomans cared for us or any other animals... It's too sad & heartbreaking to see those unfortunate ones in shelters. They're dying to g to a new home!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Myeo said... 12:19 AM

We read that from Butchy & Snickers blog. Its a sad poem.

Love
Boy n Baby

Anonymous said... 6:38 AM

What a sweet poem. It is the first time that I have ever read it. Thank woo!
Hugs,
Sitka