Lonely Dog

Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.

I wandered up and down the streets

In rain, in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.

My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or to gently say my name.

I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought

That hurting me was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me,
And took me off my feet.

No one again will hurt you,
Was whispered in my ear.
You'll have a home to call your own,

Where you will know no fear.

You will be dry, you will be warm,

You'll have enough to eat
And rest assured that when you sleep,

Your dreams will all be sweet.

I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when    

I let a human come so near.

And as she tended to my wounds
And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me 'bout the rescu e group
And what it meant to her.

She said, We are a circle,
A line that never ends.
And in the center there is you
protected by new friends.

And all around you are the ones

That check the pounds,
And those that share their home

After you've been found.

And all the other folk,

Are searching near and far,
To find the perfect home for you,

Where you can be a star.

She said, There is a family,

That's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them

Just you wait and see.

And then they'll join our circle

They'll help to make it grow,
so there will be room for more like you,

Who have no place to go.

I waited very patiently,

The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,

My family will be sent.

Then just when I began to think
It wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there

Just gazing down at me.

I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting

For a special dog like you."

Now every night I say a prayer,

To all the Gods that be.
Thank you for the life I live

And all you've given me.

But most of all protect the dogs

In the pound and on the street.

And send them a rescue person,

To lift them off their feet.