THE GERMAN SHEPHERD LAMENT

I am a canine of noble birth
A German Shepherd Dog - courageous, alert!
I protect my master to earn my keep
In grassy fields I guard his sheep
Of me I've heard it often said
"No finer dog has yet been bred"
The times have changed, a new days dawned
Alas, I find myself in a foreign land.
I am a canine of noble birth
I protect no man, I guard no herd;
Stripped of my birthright I carry on
A lonely vigil for times long gone.
When I learned how to treat a lamb,
Or how to control a powerful ram,
When I had to chase the wolves from their prey
To keep the flock calm, and from going astray.
When I was taught to stand my ground
To defend my master when troubles abound
There was no limit to what I could do
My courage and loyalty saw me through
Now I am told I was bred for "show"
Do I deserve to be dropped this low?
In the canine world I am the King,
I do not care for the dog show ring.
It bores me till the day I die
Why can I no longer do my part
And serve mankind with all my heart?
My heritage demands of me
To be what i was born to be,
Return my birthright that once was mine
A CHANCE TO LAY MY LIFE ON THE LINE

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The Reason  (to you from all your rescue dogs)

I would've died that day if not for you.
I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,
skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it, beds to
sleep on, someone to love me, to show me I deserve love just
because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me...
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair
Why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a
little tighter
Make just a little more room...to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason
The dogs before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.
-Authour unknown

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