~ My Heart Hurts ~

For those who know the joy of a pet
A place in our hearts they have and yet,
When we drive in the country to just relax
The sites we behold just take us aback!
At the stop sign there sits a moma dog who
Searches each car as it passes through.
It’s just her alone no pups to be found,
Her eyes tell her story tho she makes not a sound.
Eyes that reveal confusion, fright, hunger and pain,
No understanding “why” a dump she became.
She doesn’t understand the curse that befell man
When in the garden man’s cruelty began.
Never again to know peace, harmony and love
That was meant to be for ALL creatures from above.
On man our pets have been born to depend
We’ve bred them that way and will to the end.
Then we think they’ll survive as we throw them away,
After all, they are dogs; they have instincts you say!
But could YOU survive if the story reversed
And YOU were the dump and no instincts rehearsed?
The pets of today we call “domesticated”,
No instincts like the “wild” can be anticipated.
The proofs on the roads body’s swollen and still,
Not often you see the “wild” as road kills.
These little dumped dogs are in total terror
Not “road-wise” or instincts to keep them from error.
There are those out there who really do care
‘Bout the dumps on the roads that have life left to share.
They can’t all be saved try hard as we might
And it makes our hearts sick to see such a sight!
My heart hurts for pets gone and those yet to be
The next thrown away soul with no destiny.
No matter the size, the sex or the breed
What gives us the right to do such a deed?
Our God has told us he counts every one
And for each we will answer when our time here is done!
For those who don’t care that’s not even a threat,
But one day you WILL care, on that you can bet!
Kathy Henderson
1 - 1999

---

My Humble Plea

Heavenly Father, please hear my plea
For You know my heart and all that I need.
I ask for nothing here on this earth
For I accept life, its values and worth.
Heaven You’ve promised to be complete bliss
For me that can’t be if my pets are amiss.
Its asking a lot for I know there are many
If its trouble You fear, they won’t cause You any.
You see, they are good dogs, not a bad one in the bunch.
This You already know and I have a hunch
You have them all gathered round Your Holy seat
Awaiting the day we once again meet.
Please hear my plea, I pray my image is true
For I loved them so, these precious gifts from You.
Heavenly Father, I know You understand
As in humble prayer before You I stand.
For You know my heart and all that I need
To grant this one prayer is my humble plea.
Amen.
Kathy Henderson
5 - 1999

---

My Life

All my life I’ve had a dog
As far back as I can remember.
But memories are all I have now
Since 6 years ago last December.
Bad health, no job, a husband who ran
And there I was in the street!
My family came through and rescued me
Without them I would have died.
But my dogs had to go, for no way could they be
With me where I now reside.
My best friend took them in (I had quite a den)
For a breeder I professed to be.
A joke, at best, I never sold one!
Each one so special, I kept them all for me.
For a year she kept them, at her expense,
Awaiting my fate to see.
Time not in my favor and her burden to great,
She had to place them in homes.
Not just mine, you see, but even some of her own.
Just two of mine, the most special two,
Will stay until death takes them away.
You must understand that part of me’s gone
When the love of a dog I’m denied.
Stripped of all life meant to me,
Even the loss of my pride.
My reason for telling my story to you
Is not meant for sympathy….
It’s for that dog beside you or in your lap,
You know, the one you love so much?
Is his fate secure should something happen,
Have you provided for such?
You may think your life is secure
As I did before all hell broke loose.
But I’m telling you – provide for your friend,
If you don’t it’s his life he may lose!
With all that I’ve lost, I’ve certainly paid the cost
With heartaches and tears as my dues.
(I wouldn’t wish this for you!!)
My plea to you is really quite clear….
Just look at that dog beside you or in your lap,
Imagine to yourself that he has to go, right now!
Really look hard….
Then answer the question I put to you….
But how??
Kathy Henderson
8 - 1998

---

Go to more poems