It was dark and hot in the old garage.
She'd never been here before.
She waited in the rusty pen
For someone to open the door.
The rest were caged on up the road
With the millers and three others.
The dogs were all hawked one by one,
New puppies went with mothers.
Right down the catalog he went,
With millers freely buying.
The others watched and bid a bit -
One tried to keep from crying.
Her number was just skipped on by.
She was not brought to the table.
"Seventy-Four ain't bein' sold today.
Now how 'bout this pregnant sable ?"
The others whispered something low.
One rose to go look for her.
She searched around the kennel ground
Until she found the owner.
"I watched for Number Seventy-Four.
She was old - I hoped to get her.
I do not have much cash, you see,
And can't buy something better."
A bad reaction to the dip
Was what the woman told her.
"My husband's going to put her down
As soon as this thing's over."
"I could pay a little something.
Could you just let me see her ?
I'd take her now, there'd be no fuss.
The auction's almost over."
So they drove on down to that old garage,
Where Seventy-Four waited quietly.
The door swung wide and there she was.
Light streamed in on her brightly.
She was crippled. That was nothing new,
And she'd had no hair for years.
But the blisters from that dipping
Brought her rescuer to tears.
She pulled the money from her jeans,
And the woman took it gladly,
Then handed her this dear old dog
She'd wanted oh so badly.
She tucked her underneath an arm
And headed for the door.
And that's how Kelly saved the life
Of Number Seventy-Four !!!
Shannon McClure
Cherish your new petstore pup -
Stand always by his side.
Mend his ills and give him hugs
And lots of fun car rides.
Feed him well and let him run
To build his body strong.
Play with him and give him treats.
Love him his whole life long.
You'll soon become his hero.
He will not ask you for much.
He'll trade his lifelong loyalty
For your kind word and touch.
Count him among your blessings,
As you are his blessing, too,
But then please do just one thing more
When every day is through.
Take time to look into his eyes
Each night you tuck him in.
I bet you'll see reflected there
Two other pups like him.
They've never had a family,
Soft bed, good food, or fun.
They live life out in a wire box
And never get to run.
They suffer searing heat at times,
At others freezing cold,
As weeks and months and years drag by
While they are growing old.
So think about his mom and dad
Who shine there through his eyes,
And remember all the mill dogs
Who are paying with their lives.
If they had ever had a chance,
They'd have grown up like him, too,
With years of love to give and get
Before their lives were through.
You'll never see them face to face -
Such miracles are rare -
But pray for your pup's mom and dad,
'Cause someone ought to care..
Shannon McClure