Baggage

 

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, 

All nicely tucked into my warm new bed

I would like to open my baggage

Lest I forget,  

There is so much to carry -

So much to regret.

 

Hmm.. Yes there it is, right on the top-  

Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,

And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame. 

As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave-

I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

 

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,  

But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.

Will you add to my baggage?

Will you help me unpack?

Or will you just look at my things

And take me right back?

 

Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage,

To never re-pack?

I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,

But I do come with baggage -

Will you still want me?

 

- Evelyn Colbath

There's Always Room for One More

I see by his coat he must be a stray, the untidy look gives him away

He's lost his will and is so thin, hasn't eaten since God knows when

I know as I coax him through the door, there's always room for one more

The other night in the freezing rain the little female came again

Matted and soaked and crying in need, lost and alone with babies to feed

Her pleading eyes I couldn't ignore, there's always room for one more

There's a new face on the docks today, hungry but clean to our dismay

I stroked her head, her body rippled, when she got up I saw she was crippled

She started to go but fell to the floor, there's always room for one more

There's the poor doggy standing in the rain, I've tried to entice him time and again

One ear's lopsided,  the other's been torn, blind in one eye, lost and forlorn

He's coming now so I'll open the door, there's always room for one more

These stories are true, as I've said before

There's always room for one more

 

- Anonymous

 

Rescues and Rescuers Enter Heaven

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined.  All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.  But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging.  The other animals,  the ones who had been there for awhile, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.  He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain,  but with no sign of injury or illness.  Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge,  this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again.  As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him.  He knew he was out of place here, and the sooner he could cross over the happier he would be.  But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass.  Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.  With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, elderly and infirm.  They weren't playing, bur rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge.  And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

 

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed, and asked one of the animals that had been there awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue.  He was turned into rescue just as you see him now, and older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding.  He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence.  Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge.

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked "So what will happen now?"  As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted.  Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. 

 

"Watch and see" said the second animal.  A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared.  At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge.  They all crossed The Bridge together.  

 

"What happened?"

That was a rescuer.  The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive.  Those you saw restored were those who never found homes.  When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across the Rainbow Bridge.

 

- Anonymous

 

Harley  - Harley is my goofy foster boy.  He is still underweight and we are working to secure funds for hip surgery.  He was much like Floyd, found on the side of the road with a broken hip after being hit by a car.  He is a very docile boy and loves people and his dogs.  He is VERY strong and we are also working on his "on leash manners".   

A Stray's Prayer

Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain, and dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home, a warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water, and God that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and God I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold, and I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones, while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can, for I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas, and all that I want is an Owner to please!
If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good, and I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey...when they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own, cause I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry, cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die.
And I've got so much love and devotion to give, that I should be given a new chance to Live!
So dear God, please answer my prayer, and send me someone who will REALLY care..
That is, dear God, if YOU'RE REALLY there!

 

- Anonymous

Patty - Patty came to us from a local shelter when we were there assessing a GSD.  I wanted to see how the GSD was with other dogs and they had just the dog in mind, a senior dog who they had saved from the streets, she was brought in severely neglected, claws growing into her pads, infected eyes, dirty ears, filthy with a horribly matted coat and in very bad shape.  Definitely an outside dog who had been neglected and ignored.  Turns out she also has rotted teeth and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the vet figures from years of lung infections that were never treated.  Patty was lovely with the GSD and when I returned 2 days later to get the GSD, I asked about the funny little senior who I had not stopped thinking about.  I was told "oh yes, she's still here, nobody wants her".  I thought about it for about half a second and said I DO! 

"I stole your dog today. No, I didn't set a foot on your property, but from the condition of your dog, I can imagine what it looks like...the word "junkyard" comes to mind.

I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding. Not only did I know that most of the town had already ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods the "cross" that she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her. The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide to shoot one for trespassing.

That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that her overall condition was poor and that her coat and eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn't deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed) dog matching her description and to see if you'd placed a "lost dog" advertisement in the local newspaper. You hadn't, which I can only surmise means that you do not miss her. That's rather convenient, because the fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated, and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring her health could cost me around a thousand dollars.

Perhaps it may be some small comfort to know that she doesn't miss you.

In fact, her very act of escape made it clear that she'd had enough of your brand of pet guardianship. It took her about a day to realize that I'm not you, that I won't hurt her, that despite our brief acquaintanceship, I love her. It took two days for her to realize that the other animals who live here accept her and that one of the joys she has been missing has been the companionship of other dogs. It took three days for her to appreciate the ecstasy of a homecooked meal and that a couch is meant to be reclined on, and that she no longer has to sleep outside - in fact, when the thunder starts, she'll get a hug and her ears rubbed, and I'll make a fool of myself with baby talk.

She has a beautiful name now. Already in the first week she has come to look more like she should. Her eyes sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in greeting. She has stopped flinching when I make a sudden movement, because she knows now that I won't beat her, in fact, she rarely leaves my side. She's even become brave enough to bark at a cat and today I watched from the window as she initiated play with the other dogs. No, it's clear she does not miss you or her former life of neglect on a chain.

Of all the things that have become apparent from my brief relationship with her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their wonderful ability to heal and to trust, the fact that love can work miracles - one of the most apparent is what a fool you are. She was possibly the most trusting, loyal and loving being in your life, and you consigned her to a life of filth and loneliness until she made the best choice she's ever made when she broke free. Perhaps her guardian angel helped her escape.

Lest anyone should mistake me for an angel, I will admit that one day I hope to be as good as she; I believe she forgave you within the first twenty-four hours of her new life for the about four years of her previous "life," while I still wrestle with the part of me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.

It's not clear yet whether she'll remain here or whether I'll find her a loving home where she can count on more individual attention than I can give her, but one thing is certain, this is one bit of stolen "property"who is never returning to you. So sue me, prosecute me, plead with the courts that she is rightfully yours...I'm convinced this is the best "crime" I've ever committed. Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day I stole your dog. I need only look into her beautiful brown eyes to know that she'd defend my decision with her life. If we have one prayer, it is that you will not replace her, and if we have one special day to commemorate together, it is the day I stole your dog and the day she stole my heart."

Anonymous