Submitted by Terri: 2/17/99

Dear God, Please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain,
and Dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home,
a warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard.
Sometimes with no water, and God that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold,
and I"m so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones,
while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, Please help if you can.
for I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I"m ridden with fleas,
all that I want is an owner to please.
If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good,
and I wont chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey...
when they tell me to sit, lie down or to stay.
I dont think I'll make it too long on my own,
cause I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die.
I have so much love and devotion to give,
that I should be given a new chance to live.
so Dear God, Please answer my prayer,
and send me someone who will REALLY care.

For the New Puppy Owner

Submitted By: Terri 2/17/99

Don't smell crothces, don't eat plants
Don't steal food or underpants.
Don't eat my socks, don't grab my hair....
DON'T RIP THE STUFFING FROM THAT CHAIR!
Don't eat those peas! Don't touch that bush!
Don't chew my shoes...What IS that mush?
Eat your cookie, drink your drink.
Outta the toilet! Outta the sink!
AWAY FROM THE CAT BOX, ITS FOR THE CAT!!
And must you kiss me after that?
Yes, raising a puppy is not for the lazy!
Though puppies are funny, they're also quite crazy.
But don't despair, though its toil and strife.
After three years, you'll get back your life.
So, let's go for "walkies", you "do your thing"
and PERHAPS I'll get back my GOOD DIAMOND RING!!

My Gift to Jesus

Submitted by: Terri 2/17/99

I wish someone had given little Jesus a Dog
as loyal and loving as mine,
to sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes,
and adore Him for being so devine.
As our Lord grew to manhood, His own faithful dog
would have followed Him all through the day,
while He preached to the crowds and made the sick well,
and knelt in the Garden to pray.
It is sad to remember that Christ went away,
to face death alone and apart,
with no tender dog following close behind,
to comfort his Master's heart.
And when Jesus rose on that Easter Morn,
how happy He would have been
as His dog kissed his hands and barked his delight,
for the One who died for all men.
Well, the Lord has a dog now: I just sent Him mine,
the old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,
Knowing they're in Eternity.

Submitted by: Teresa Walters

By: Rudyard Kipling There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bit you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we greive:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Submitted by: Teresa Walters

Have you ever had a day
so fast and furious
you just want to close
the door to the world?

So harsh and painful
tears come rolling from your eyes
for no reason?

Have you ever had a day
when you just want
to throw your hands in the air
and yell out to the whole world
that enough is enough?

Too tired to walk
too tired to drive
too tired to remember
how you got home?

And as you place your key on the keyhole
you hear a whine on the other side of the door
And a smile comes out of your face
because you know
on the other side of the door
is a tiny small creatures eager to see you
so happy to have you home
he will be jumping up three times his height

Ready for loving and kisses and hugs
ready for taking away all the cares of the day
ready to say
"mom, work is work. I'm here now, let's play."

I just did, today.
And so did my Lancer, today,
take away my cares with no qualms
I'm happy I have my minpin.

From Sharon Moore

Dog Breeders Husband - Poem...

I'm just a dog breeders husband
I no longer rule my domain
Even if kindly invited
from opinions I wisely refrain
I'm just a glorified kennel boy
Of minor importance I know
It seems my primary function
Is merely providing the dough
Now dog breeding's not inexpensive
As you all no doubt are aware
But the problem's not so much the money
as the bustle, the wear and the tear
> Having studied the layback of shoulder
and becoming an expert on feet
I still have not learned to give worm pills
or how much the puppy should eat
My spouse will spend hours grooming
her Bred By Exhibitor bitch
But when it comes to scratching my back
Her thought is to let the thing itch
Some day I hope that my wife'll
Take me wandering to some foreign vale
Instead of inspecting the stifle
of some Special stud at Hinsdale
Off in a crowded motel room
after the dog show is o'er
Someone questions the judges decision
While they reach for another drink more
It appears that his eyesight is failing
His errors in judgement immense
In fact if I did not know better
You'd doubt if he had any sense
One finds that the amateur's bungling
no match for professional skills
A handler can hide what the owner admits
As he tries hard his conscience to still
The din and the utter confusion
of everyone talking at once
Leaves one weary, hoarse and irascible
and the next day a bleary eyed dunce
Sometimes late in the evening
I'm asked if I do not agree
That Pottowattamie's Bridget
Is somewhat out at the knee
But before I can answer the question
I find my answer ignored
For some inexplicable reason
My questioner's suddenly bored
I'm only a dog breeders husband
Not that I mean to complain
But I find certain aspects amazing
When I aspire my role to explain
I know at least where I am going
I'm rapidly going to seed
But I've learned about Winner's Bitches
I married the Best of the Breed
-author unknown

From: Sue Nott : notty@notty007.freeserve.co.uk

BEST OF PALS

We've always been the best of pals
And close as two can be.
We really are inseparable
As anyone can see.
We share each other's fun and games
And even the same bed
Then sit together patiently
Whilst waiting to be fed.
Although he is of feline stock
And I'm his canine friend
I wouldn't change a single thing-
We're playmates to the end



Submitted by Terri (crysimag@soltec.net)

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peek. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ... in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

Author unknown