If Not For You

I would've died that day

if not for you.

I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.

I would've used my teeth in fear

if not for your gentle hands.

I would have left this life believing

that all humans don't care,

Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,

skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it,

beds to sleep on, someone to love me, to show me

I deserve love just because I exist.

Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands

Your big heart saved me...

You saved me from the terror of the pound,

soothing away the memories of my old life. 

You have taught me what it means to be loved.

I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me. 

I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair

why you do it when there is no more money,

no more room, no more homes. 

You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the

money  a little tighter, make just a little more room…

to save one more like me.

I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in

my eyes in the best way I know how

Reminding you why you go on trying.

I am the reason. 

The dogs before me are the reason,

as are the ones who come after. 

Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given.

We would die if not for you.

Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

DOG

 

And when all were named upon the Earth,

And in the sky and sea,

The little creature said,

‘Dear Lord, There's not one

left for me!’

The Father smiled and softly said:

‘I've left you till the end.

I've turned my own name back to front,

And called you DOG, my friend.’

---

A Dog’s Soul

 

Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgment carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho'he is unloved,
And he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!

---

Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep, 
the queen-size bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove my 
human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight, 
and here is where I pass the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude 
till morning comes and I want food!
I sneak up slowly and it begins 
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up slowly and smiles and shouts, 
"You darling beast!  Just cut it out!"
But morning's here and it's time to play 
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you, Lord, for giving me 
this human person that I see
The one who hugs and holds me tight and 
shares her bed with me at night!