The Dog Shelter
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
May 15, 2016 5:46pm CST
I dearly loved my mistress,
She felt the same for me,
We had fun, and when we'd done
I'd curl up on her knee.
We were content and carefree,,
But then one day she died,
I lay beside her body,
I would not leave her side.
And then strange hands picked me up
They took me far away,
And though they are kind to me
I'm much too sad to play.
They say that they'll re-home me,
But folks don't even glance,
Younger pups are what they want,
They don't give me a chance.
So I sit here all alone,
Once again rejected,
Wistful, I look through the bars,
Feeling so dejected.
Oh, there's someone coming now
Young girl with her mother,
So shyly I wag my tail,
She says ''I want no other''.
Now I'm going home with them,
I am so excited,
Someone else to love again,
The world has just been righted.
I was just reading a post from @Chellezhere about getting her dog from a shelter, and it reminded me of this poem I wrote a while ago. Have you ever got a dog this way?
Photo from Pixabay.
65 people like this
55 responses
@rebelann (112979)
• El Paso, Texas
16 May 16
I agree @jaboUK
I don't think mom's kitties have a clue that mom has passed and now that I've said I'd take them in I've a feeling that could well backfire, the smaller of her two cats is dog aggressive and I'm so afraid she might hurt Ally.
I'm not altogether sure if they'll get along with my kitty. I wish I knew someone who would take them but alas that's not to be.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
16 May 16
what a lovely poem, ms. jabo. so true, many don't e'en give those pups'r e'en cats a second glance once they're past the "wee" stage. i'm glad this'd a happy endin' :) big hugs 'n love!
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@crazyhorseladycx I like to give a happy ending if I can
. I'm afraid it's true that a lot of people don't want an older dog.
. I'm afraid it's true that a lot of people don't want an older dog.2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
16 May 16
@jaboUK i prefer 'em myself. unfortunately many believe that older pups aint trainable. which to me says they ought not e'en get a puppy :)
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
16 May 16
I have owned three dogs over the years plus my grandparents had three - two at the same time - i have a cat now though
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 May 16
@jaboUK yes very much so - I just open a tin for mine of a morning, otherwise she takes care of herself all day
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@arthurchappell Cats are easier to look after, aren't they? They pretty much do their own thing.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
16 May 16
Many years ago I adopted a senior - the previous owners had kept her in the basement for two years then dumped her at the shelter. She had no idea what treats or toys were, but she caught on fast. I had her a few years and one morning she work up paralyzed so at her age it was time for her to cross the Rainbow Bridge. She had a good life with me.
The poem is great, brought tears to my eyes!
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
16 May 16
@jaboUK She had a mangled leg from being hurt and not taken care of - she became good pals with my parents 125 pound black lab and he went in the river to swim she went in up to her belly and pretended to swim - it was a riot.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@AbbyGreenhill Good for you Abby to make that dog's last years so happy. The previous owner needs shooting.
Glad you liked the poem, thank you.
.
That's a terrible thing that administrator did, I'm not surprised that people are up in arms.
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
16 May 16
I have never taken a dog from a shelter, but my son and his wife just did last week. I haven't talked to them as to how it is working out. My grandson is Autistic, so I am sure the dog will be great for him
You did a great job on that poem.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
16 May 16
My son just got a dog from the shelter, He was scared and thin. After a few weeks he is a happy health dog.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@fishtiger58 That dog looks lovely - happy and contented. I'm so glad that there are people like your son about that are prepared to re-home dogs.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
17 May 16
@jaboUK Yea he is a cutie, I really like him and have fun when my son brings him over.
1 person likes this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
16 May 16
Your poem almost brought tears to my eyes! I wish I could bring all the animals from the shelter home. I can't even visit there, it just breaks my heart! My kids have always brought our dogs home from where ever. We have kept 2 dogs that someone dumped out and they found their way to our house. That is something else that I can't stand to see happen!
2 people like this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
17 May 16
@jaboUK One of my friends and her daughter used to go to the shelter and donate dog food. The would play with the dogs, just to give them some attention. They never came home with one, I couldn't do it! I don't have the will power! Those sweet eyes looking up at me, would dissolve any will power I thought I had!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
16 May 16
I don´t even know if there are dog shelters where I live.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
16 May 16
@jaboUK There are stray dogs in other parts of the city. Not where I live.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@marguicha Are there many stray dogs around? If there aren't, perhaps there are shelters that you are unaware of.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
16 May 16
No, although I did go to one once a long time ago. But I don't even remember when that was, whether I had my kids or not. I think we were just looking or something, or maybe I went with a friend.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
16 May 16
@MarshaMusselman I daren't go to a shelter nowadays because we just can't have a dog at the moment - we are away from home too much.
@KristenH (33393)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
16 May 16
This is so sad. When I had my first pet Buddy, a mutt, when I was little, he came from one of those animal shelters in a cart that came by in the neighborhood. We got him, when I was five and my brother was seven. He lived until he was 13, when I was around 16 and my brother was 18. I miss him. 
2 people like this
