Through the Eyes of a Puppy Farm Dog

My body is trembling with cold and fear
the ground beneath me hard stone,
my bones protrude from my body
I have never felt so alone.
As I slowly raise my head up
and look at the filth I'm in,
any hope that I once had
is disappearing from deep within.
Being trapped in a tiny cage
24 hours a day,
I lay in my own excrement
my skin is black and grey.
Any hair that I have left
is matted and stuck to my skin,
I have no choice but to live like this
I am so weak and thin.
Sometimes you offer me a titbit
and call me to come to you,
I refuse out of sheer terror
because you'll beat me black and blue.
You only want to breed from me
so you'll be stinking rich,
not giving a damn about me
because I'm just a breeding bitch.
If I'm lucky I get some scraps
which I eat as quickly as I can,
scared you'll take it away from me
I've learned to never trust a man.
Why do you treat me so cruel
when I'm such a gentle breed,
is money really so important
that you abuse me for your greed?
I have feelings too
and a heart, spirit and soul,
I am so desperately unhappy
stuck in this dark depressing hole.
I've had so many babies for you
which you will sell for cash,
when they're barely eight weeks old
you remove them in a flash.
My heart breaks in pieces
knowing I'll never see them again,
you men are so heartless
you'll never understand my pain.
Because pain is what I go through
each and every day,
not only from losing my babies
but the punches you throw my way.
Hands or sticks it makes no odds
when you beat my body of its breath,
how I wish I could close my eyes
because I would welcome death.
It's not just me that lives like this
hundreds more share this fate,
how I long for someone to rescue us
before it is just too late.
I long for a home I can call my own
and for a family who will love me,
to show me warmth and lots of love
is where I long to be.
I promise I'd be very good
I won't piddle on your floor,
when I need to do my business
I'll wait patiently by your door.
I promise to keep intruders at bay
I'll scare them off with a bark,
all I'm really asking for is some food
and a stroll in the park.
I'd love to have my tummy tickled
and a scratch behind my ear,
with lots of love and patience
I will gradually lose my fear.
And when we go for walkies
I will be as good as gold,
so happy to be free at last
far away from pain and cold.
I'll return your love and kindness
in the way us dogs know best,
I'll be your faithful companion
I will be your perfect guest.

Rebecca Brown - 22 February 2007

Through the Eyes of a Three-legged Dog

I've been here a month now
and people walk on by,
not bothering to look at me
it makes me wonder why?

Because I am quite cute really
although I'm missing a leg,
but I am so well behaved
that I don't even beg.

I see all my friends around me
being re-homed one by one,
yet still no-one picks me
whatever have I done?

Perhaps people think I'm ugly
and not worth taking home,
I just wish someone would
because I hate it here alone.

I really try my hardest
when you humans walk on by,
I plead with my big brown eyes
I really really try.

I wag my tail to a frenzy
hoping that you will pick me,
just because I'm missing a leg
that's all you seem to see.

Well, please look past my flaws
which really aren't my fault,
see that I am smooth coated
so that I won't even moult.

I'm not that big either
so I won't take up much room,
oh I wish someone would pick me
and really rather soon.

I'd love to play ball with you
and I'd drop it at your feet,
I promise to never growl
I'd be friendly to all we meet.

Just because I have three legs
you don''t have to be extra kind,
I have got used to it now
and I really don''t mind.

I just wish I'd get chosen
to spend my life with you,
plenty of life in this old dog
and I'm good at tricks too.

I won't ask for much
just somewhere to lay my head,
preferably with a nice blanket
to make a nice soft comfy bed.

I'm not too keen on cats
but I promise I won't eat yours,
and as long as I have a bone
I won't chew through your doors

I won't roll in anything smelly
because I really hate a bath,
if only someone would take me on
I'd really make you laugh.

Because I'm such a character
and I'm only six years old,
please take me home with you
I have a heart of gold?..

One Week Later

Today I had the best surprise
all my dreams have come true,
standing in front of me
was an angel dressed in blue.

The lovely lady standing there,
didn't mind my missing leg,
come on boy, let's go home
I am your new mum, Meg

Rebecca Brown, March 2007

May I Go?

Love is Knowing When

You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.
But really, love is knowing when
your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic that will
Once more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.
That strength is why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner till the end.
Please, understand just what this gift
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it, too.
So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever-faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
... a young dog once again
~ anonymous ~

"I'll lend you for a little time a dog of mine" he said.
"For you to love while he lives and mourn for when he's dead".
It maybe six or seven years or maybe more than these, but will you, till I
call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, you'll
have his memories, as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, but there are
lessons taught down there, I want this dog to learn.
I've looked this wide world over, in my search for teachers true, and from
the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain, nor hate me
when I come to call, and take him back again'
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord, thy will be done", for all the
joy thy dog shall bring, for the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, and for the
happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him, we'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.

Your Dog

The years go so very fast and before you know it that romping pup is old and grey muzzled and they have sat by our sides while we read, watch TV, and work on our computers. Every so often they come and lay their heads in our laps, toss our elbow with their muzzle or gaze into our eyes and wait for us to notice them. Take a moment now to commune. I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and running there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land. I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" - I know what you are and who you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still. Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper into my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy, and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, but we do have today, and life is oh so very short. So please--come sit with me now and let us share these precious moments we have together.
- Love, on behalf of canines everywhere.
Your Dog."
Author Unknown

Some Lovely Poems written by Joyce Stranger

Memories
There are shadows in my garden
That only I can see.
The dogs so gaily playing
That once belonged to me.
They run round in the sunshine.
They lie panting in the shade.
They are racing by the hedges.
They are chasing through the glade.
They come to me at nightfall,
They are lying by my chair.
Yet to other people,
There is only one dog there.
They are never forgotten.
Joyce
Anglesey UK

Poems by Joyce

ODE TO LIFE

Money----who cares? It's gone with the wind. .
So what? I'm alive!
Passion----who dares. But you leave that behind.
So what? I'm alive.
I'm out with my dog and she's hunting the breeze
For news of the squirrels and birds in the trees.
Youth's far behind me, folk damned hard to please.
So what? I'm alive.
Time grows much shorter, the years far too few,
The days now are briefer, the hours fly past too.
I'm out when I can and I'm walking my dog.
No time to sit brooding or lie like a log.
Her days too are numbered and sadly I fear
That within a short span she'll no longer be here.
My time too is uncertain; I'll leave one fine day
And others take over----that's always the way.
Life's fast and it's furious and much of it's hell,
But now I can say and I mean it as well.
No matter what happens or how hard I strive,
I may be gone tomorrow. Today----I'm alive.
I'm alive.
That's all that matters. I'm alive.
Joyce Stranger
Anglesey UK

Autumn Years
I remember sounds and hoots and calls and whistles
And the gentle voice that praised me and taught me how to play.
I remember dog shows and the din of claps and laughter
And the soft commands she spoke to me to help me on my way.
It's strange those lips are silent although I see them moving
As if that mouth were speaking still, but what I cannot hear.
The world is quiet, the wind moves, yet I cannot hear it shrieking
The silent world around me has become a place to fear.
But she is still beside me, her soft hands stroke me gently,
They also give me signals and those I understand.
I creep up closely to her and lean against her, loving,
Because the only comfort is in that caressing hand.
The bond we forged between us, when I was but a puppy,
Has taught me I can trust her, and though I now am old,
She loves me still and needs me and when I come for stroking,
I know her hands will speak to me and the world is much less cold.
I can't understand the silence. I don't hear any barking.
Although I bark myself, it falls on quiet air.
This world I was born into is full of silent people
Who cannot understand me and who do not seem to care.
Once I was a puppy and people stroked and loved me.
Now they see me coming and cross the busy road.
I have to bear the silence, and how I miss their friendship,
But her loving hands caress me and help me bear this load.
Joyce Stranger.
Joyce
Anglesey UK

The Mountain Rescue Dog

Yes, we bought you, long ago. There was so much we didn't know.
Crazy pup, racing the breeze, stop and sniff beneath the trees.
Puppy with so little sense. We never thought youd grow immense .
A year old dog with dancing eyes, every day a new surprise.
Bark at children, chase the cat,. destroy our shoes, and tear the mat.
Hooligan, so often bad. We say this dog will drive us mad.
Another year, and training school. You often made me look a fool.
Until the day we took our test and your great score outshone the rest.
Now our real work had begun. For me, a mission, for you, fun.
On the mountains, climbing steep. Concentrate, ignore the sheep.
Growing proficient, growing wise. Learning to use nose and eyes.
Often braving mountain danger hunting for an injured stranger.
Phone rings at night, we both arise. Helicopter takes us through the skies.
In freezing dark we start our quest, doing what we both do best.
So many times we make a friend, saved from an untimely end.
Mission over, our jobs done. We can relax and have some fun.
From my flask I take a drink, eat a sandwich, sit and think.
You climb above me, stand and stare, looking up into the air.
Maybe you can angels see. Visions they deny to me.
Down the mountain by my side, my special dog, my joy, my pride.
Never thought when you were young that your praises would be sung.
Your storys written on your grave. So many lives this dog did save.
I can remember now, with pleasure, the dog that proved to be a treasure.
That picture hanging on my wall.. My mountain dog THAT says it all.
Joyce Stranger

?2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK