Do I Go Home Today?

Photo Source: www.sablogzone.com

Below is a beautiful but sad poem about the life of so many animals that are taken to animal shelters. I beg of everyone looking for a pet to remember the following things......

1. Pets are not impulse buys. They are not a pair of shoes or an outfit that you can return because you changed your mind.

2. Animals have feelings - they feel pain, sorrow, reject, stress and hopelessness.

3. You should ALWAYS review your lifestyle before you consider getting a pet. If you work all the time, travel a lot or go out on the town a lot, have children or a spouse that might hurt the animal, are allergic or don't like cat or dog hair in your home then please DON'T get  an animal.

4. Dogs are not lawn ornaments - if you are thinking about getting a dog but want to keep them outside all the time then don't get a dog. Dogs are pack animals. They need human companionship. Also, dogs can die from being in too cold or too hot weather.

5. If you don't have enough money to take care of your pet properly (vet bills, spay/neuter, food, grooming, pet sitter and other necessities) then please don't get an animal.

Pets are a privilege - a gift from God. They are not something to acquire today and dispose of whenever the novelty or newness wears off. Animals get stressed out just like humans do. They are severely affected when people drop them off at shelters and dispose of them like day old trash. Next time you are thinking of getting a pet, please give it a lot of thought and careful consideration. It isn't just about you.

Do I Go Home Today?

By Sandi Thompson

My family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me, and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me, they showered me with toys. I sure do love my family especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats. They even let me sleep with them all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my leash, I'm very proud to say.

These are things I'll never forget a cherished memory. I now live in a shelter without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bathroom rug.

They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely, in the back yard on a chain. I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then, kissed me goodbye.

If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left," I heard the worker say. Does this mean a second chance? Do I go home today?