"I am one of God's creatures.
Pets like me are abandoned, abused and neglected everyday.
I've had to develop survival skills on the streets.
I drink from gutters and eat out of garbage bins.
The numbers of my friends in shelters is staggering (6-8 million in the U.S.).
Only about half of us will find homes.
If you find me, I may bite or bark at you because of fear.
My heart breaks because no one wants to take me home.
They just keep walking by. Why don't they ever stop to say hi?
I cope by crying alone in my cage at night.
I bark and howl at the moon when the person who feeds me is absent.
I continue to breathe and will even do tricks to impress you.
That should prove I'd be a good pet for a new kind master, right?
Do you believe in Heaven?
Pray for my brothers and sisters or many of them will be euthanized.
We all need caring, gentle homes.
I sure could use proper nutrition and some exercise.
Oh, and a comfy bed would be really nice!
I'd truly thrive with your attention and affection.
Look into my eyes-
please adopt me today!"
I rescued a stray Australian Cattle Dog pup today. She was malnourished, thirsty and scared. She may have been injured, but also had a seizure. Since I already have two dogs, I had to call animal control. The shelter supposedly works hard to get their incoming dogs adopted. Let's hope! Thank you for reading, Jen
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Comments: 64
If only these strays could find their way to your door.
If only THIS (me) stray could find his way to your door. Hugs.
My latest: So Divine
and kudos to your for rescuing the pup!
We have only one dog, and she was not a rescue, but we were limited on what kind of dog we can have in our home because my husband is allergic to dogs, cats, and birds.
We do however, contribute money and items regularly to our local animal shelter, and my teenage daughter belongs to a group at school called "Lend-A-Paw" that raises funds and contributes to that same shelter.
I hope anyone who is in a position to accept a shelter animal into their home will do so now; the love, companionship, and loyalty you receive in return far exceeds any cost you pay.
Don't worry about making me sad; those ASPCA commercials on TV make me cry too. It's an issue worth shedding some tears over.
This is also true for pets who are caged, tied up, and ignored by thoughtless, uncaring people. It shows a general lack of reponsibility that's rampant in our society. Good for you for rescuing the stray. Australian cattle dogs are one of the ones what people think look cool, so they get one and have no idea the nature of the animal and what it needs to be happy and healthy. This usually involves lots of exercise, which many people are not willing to provide. People need to think and do a little research before they critically impact the life of another living creature.
Thank you, Jennifer, for writing about this so well and so passionately.
I can't stand the idea of spaying and neutering all of them that go through the shelters, but that seems to be the norm now. Thank you for the article.
There is a epidemic on these so called pets going wild in our cities. Breeding on the streets.
People are getting foreclosed on, kicked out of there homes. Something needs to be done with the pets.
So you gave up the dog??
I sure wished these people would stop all this critters breeding!! They are not going to keep all the puppies, kittens etc..... We have to start killing more critters in the dog pounds, what other choice is there? Blame all these breeders out there. Horses are the same thing. Way to many being bred without a place to go.
Ticks me off..... ya a cord in me was hit hard. The poem brought out emotions....
AND yes we buy our critters. We do not just want any old critter. We also pay the price for the critters we do have. Jack up the price of critters and people will be more apt to keep them safe, healthy, fed. Only serious pet owners will be able to afford pets. Something has got to be done about this issue..... serious action not all this tea totaling crap.
I wish I could have a horse, too. I understand your point of view and appreciate your careful reading.
They make the best companions of all.
They remember the streets.
Look on my web page, and at my posts and meet my latest.
Apricot came from the Lacey Animal Shelter.
I could not have a better companion then my little Apricot Sweetheart.
He really means the best
8 million unwanted pets
at your door - that's a pest!
I bought a dog his name was nigger
his owner drunk and temper bigger
I got him with five broken ribs
nursed him to health - he comes to nig...
Featured in the Triple Name Club.