Once I Was A Lonely Dog
by David Klein

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 what ever 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 to 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 bout the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, a line that never ends,
And in the center 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 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 heartbeat. 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."

DEAR FOSTER MOM:
Author Unknown

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love,
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go,
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay,
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
No matter how far, you will always be near.

And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on,
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day,
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time,
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.