A poem for my foster dog

This beautiful poem by Diane Morgan was shared by Starting Over Dog Rescue on their Facebook page. It is such a moving poem, that I had to share.

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Nobody’s Dog

Yesterday I came across this very sad poem on the Starting Over Dog Resuce Facebook page, and I thought I would share it as a timely reminder now that summer is on its way out, and we have been getting the rain and the thunder and lightening.

If there is one thing that absolutely terrifies dogs that is thunder. Fortunately not all dogs are scared of thunder, but most are. This fear has caused many dogs to dig out of their back yards and venture out into the sometimes dangerous, sometimes cruel world.

If your dog is not microchipped and he does not have a nametag your chances of being reunited with him are quite slim.

Why would anyone want to take such a risk?

Dexter is an inside dog but even an inside dog can occasionally get out. It doesn’t take much, a gate that was not closed properly, a hole that had not been refilled.

Fortunately my Dexter is microchipped, is your dog?

NOBODY’S DOG

Today is the death day of nobody’s dog
Nothing will mark it but a note in the log
I’m faceless and nameless and no tears will fall
For I know in your world I have no worth at all

To you, my sweet someone, I’m a friend and a dear
We ran the wind daily and you held me so near
But the gate was left open – I chanced a walk on my own
I’d have cowered in fear if only I’d known

I know how you cried on the night that I strayed
I know how you searched, I know how you prayed
But I went to a pound far far from our home
Where I crouched in despair in my kennel alone

I know that you phoned for I heard your dear voice
And I hoped you would hear me so I barked myself hoarse
Although I’m a Lab cross with stockings all white
On their form I’m a Staff cross – the description’s not right

So they said I’m not here and I sank to my bed
My kennel cough’s worse and I can’t raise my head
The rescue came yesterday but they hadn’t a place
For an un-neutered cross breed with his mucus-streaked face

If only you’d come to search for me here
You would have known me at once, you would have sensed I was near
You would have sorted my ills, you would have carried me home
And I promise our God no more would I roam

Now my eyes plead for mercy for my seven days are done
And I am waiting with dread for the final vet run
No arms will caress me as they inject me to death
No words will comfort me as I take my last breath

When the body man comes, it is fitting I’m found
In a bin bag in the freezer in the depths of the pound
Thrown away like the rubbish – no respect and no shame
Denied even the time to find you again

My loyalty and devotion they did cruelly betray
Without microchip or nametag, I am just a dispensable stray
Once waggy-tailed, once proud, beloved and free
Oh Dad look with pain at what mankind’s done to me!

Author Unknown