How Good Dogs End Up In Shelters

Do I Go Home Today?

My family brought me home
cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me
and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me
They showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family
especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me
they gave me special treats
they even fought to hold my leash
I’m very proud to say

These are things I’ll never forget
a cherished memory
I now live in a shelter
without my family

They used to laugh and praise me
when I played with that old shoe
But I didn’t know the difference
between the old ones and the new

The kids and I would grab a rag
for hours we would tug
So I thought I did the right thing
when I chewed the bathroom rug

They said that I was out of control
and would have to live outside
This I did not understand
although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped one by one
they said they hadn’t time
I wish that I could change things
I wish I knew my crime

My life became so lonely
in the backyard on a chain
I barked and barked all day long
to keep from going insane

So they brought me to the shelter
but were embarrassed to say why
they said I caused an allergy
and then kissed me goodbye

If I’d only had some classes
as a little pup
I wouldn’t have been so hard to handle
when I was all grown up

“You only have one day left.”
I heard the worker say
Does that mean a second chance?
Do I go home today?

by Sandi Thompson