Monday, December 28, 2009

Here in this house...



Here in this house......

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.

I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.

My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

(author unknown)

 

Same goes for Millie!

I took this poem from someone's Flickr site; since the author is "unknown," I felt it was alright to post it.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this wonderful poem. I am an avid dog lover and did rescue for 2 years. Once I get settled in my new "digs" I intend on starting up again.

Delphyne said...

Hi, Inannasstar - so nice to meet you! Of the 5 dogs I've had over the years, all but 1 have been rescued.

Good luck with your new place and possible rescue services again - with this economy, so many pets are being tossed out. It just sickens me...

Jasmine said...

This is a lovely poem, id you write it? xx

Delphyne said...

No, Jasmine - I found it on someone's Flickr site and when I went looking for it online, all copies were "author unknown." I love the poem.

Lost City Denise said...

Beautiful!

I wonder if our farm dogs think that way? One yes, but the other two - not sure they're that eloquent.

Rena M said...

I'm so glad you posted this poem. Words such as these always bring tears to my eyes.
xoxo
Rena

Delphyne said...

Hi, Denise and Rena! I really do like this poem.

Happy New Year!

Shelly said...

This is a beautiful poem ... and fits for my kitty as well. Well, not the outdoor part. :) Although ... maybe in the summer. I'm gonna give it a try.