The Path Home
Posted by Freckles on March 29, 2008, 7:33 am
The Path Home
You cower and you cringe, pressing up against the wall.
You tremble and your food dish has not been touched at all.
Every time a human passes, you cringe further “Don’t look at me.”
Someone might come and hit you, and there’s nowhere for you to flee.
Human faces look into your dark dingy prison cell.
You look away, don’t meet their eyes, they might cuss and scream and yell.
A ringing sound, the warden answers, a pause, then he looks up.
His eyes land upon you. “Yes, we still have that pup.”
He nods and listens, “Yes she is, a purebred too I bet.
Her owner dumped her in the night, freezing, and soaking wet.
She’s got the cough, you know the one, that wracks her body through.
What’s that? Okay, you’ll take her? We’ll hold this dog for you.”
He hangs up then he looks at you, points his finger, and smiles.
“It seems you got a break today, someone thinks your worthwhile.
Someone many miles away, is gonna save your furry ass.”
He chuckles, then he shudders, knowing she escaped the gas.
The next day a woman enters, and is led to your cell door.
“That’s her” he says. “The little one, cell number fifty four.”
She squints her eyes against the dark, then lets out a little cry.
How could someone leave you here, knowing you would die?
Quickly she opens up the door, you yelp, try to escape…
there’s nowhere left for you to go, you’re trapped within this cage.
You close your eyes, await the pain, await the blows to fall.
They never come, it’s quiet as you cringe against the wall.
A soft voice whispers, “It’s okay. There’s no more pain for you.
You’re on your way to freedom, your suffering is through.”
She slips a rope around your neck, then lifts you in her arms.
She cradles and she kisses you, her touch feels oh, so warm!
This angel takes you home with her, gives you food, a nice clean bed.
She sings, and takes you out for walks, and strokes your silky head.
One day she takes you for a drive, she smiles, “It’s time to go.
You’re on your way to a new life, where you can learn and grow.”
She stops the car, and picks you up, one last kiss on your head.
A teary smile, a fond farewell, your heart is filled with dread.
Someone new now holds your leash, a man you never met!
He lifts you up into his car, “Hey girl! Are you all set?”
He drives and drives, till once again, you stop and someone new
takes your leash and thanks the man, and says hello to you.
She pats your head, and whistling, puts you in the car.
In the back are two more dogs, they too, have come quite far.
You meet more people, ride in their cars, and sometimes meet their kids.
No longer scared, just worried, and wondering a bit.
One kind lady takes you home, feeds you and puts you to bed.
“You rest my girl, there’s far more hours of traveling ahead.”
Another day, more changing hands, strangers cuddle you.
They hold your paw, look in your eyes, “Gee, you are a beaut!”
Then finally the trip is done, a woman and a man
take you to a nice warm house, that smells like love and….HAM!
A lady with sparkling blue eyes, long grey hair and smiling face
says “Hi there little one! Welcome to our place!”
Three dogs come out that look like you, long hair, all black and white!
They wag their tails in greeting, they’re friendly and polite.
Grey Hair and her husband feed you ham for treats that night,
and over the days and weeks they give you love and light.
Children come to this place, they play with you and laugh
at all your silly antics like when you escaped the bath!
You like it here, you feel secure, this is warmest home,
they never hit, they never scream, you never feel alone.
But this is not your staying place, forever waits for you…
a family with an empty heart arrives as if on cue.
They come into your foster home, they look at you and smile.
“Oh Mom and Dad! Look at her!” cries their excited child.
“She’s beautiful! Look, see her scars? Someone hurt her there!
Oh PLEASE can we take her home with us, and show her that we care?”
Grey Lady watches wistfully out the window as you leave.
You don’t see the single tear that traces down her cheek.
Your child clutches onto you, your wagging tail held high.
“Farewell my friend, take care of them, enjoy your brand new life.”
Copyright Sally Hull March 2008
Comments
Sally, you are one very special and talented lady. Rylan and I are lucky to call you our friend. ~ Jacqui
Cealiegh of Skye ("Kailie")Beautiful, Sally. Thank you.
