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POEMS and Other Tidbits
Within the heart of every stray
lies the singular desire to be loved.
Poems
I Adopted Your Dog Today
I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for seven years
and no longer wanted around.
I adopted your dog today
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed
and has lost all faith?
I adopted your dog today.
he had fleas and a cold,
but don't worry none.
You've unburdened your load.
I adopted your dog today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies or was
there no reason he couldn't stay?
I adopted your dog today.
he doesn't play or eat much
He's very depressed, but
he will learn again to trust.
I adopted your dog today.
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
and a warm bed on which to lay.
I adopted your dog today.
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.
-Author Unknown
Rescued Hearts
Taking care of rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.
The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.
My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them everyday
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.
I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.
Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.
If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.
So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for me.
~~ Kathleen Parsons
The Senior Dogs Project
..........."Looking Out for Older Dogs" ...........
"Blessed
is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." - Sydney Jeanne
Seward
Top
Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog
Housetrained
1. Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the
difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and
mopping/cleaning up after accidents.
Won't
chew inappropriate items
2. Older dogs are not
teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing
up.
Focus
to learn
3. Older
dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn
quickly.
Know
what "no" means
4. Older
dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they
wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.
Settle
in with the "pack"
5. Older
dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get
along with others and become part of a pack.
Good
at giving love
6.
Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new,
loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been
given.
WYSIWYG
7.
What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown
into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite
different from what they seemed at first.
Instant
companions
8. Older
dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other
things you like to do.
Time
for yourself
9.
Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the
kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs
do.
A
good night's sleep
10.
Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed
to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings,
comforting, or bathroom breaks.
*Adapted
from Labrador Retriever Rescue's "Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue"
You
can print and post this "Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue"
A Puppy
I am a Puppy, This means that my
intelligence and capacity for learning are the same as an 8-month-old
child.
I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can
get my teeth on. This is how I explore and learn about the world.
Even HUMAN children put things in their
mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what is
not.
I
am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1-2 hours. I
cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to
come out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I
cannot have "bladder and bowel control" until 6-9 months. Do not punish
me if you have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your
fault. As a Puppy it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after:
Eating, Sleeping, Playing, Drinking and around every 2-3 hours in
addition. If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give
me water after 7 or 8pm. A crate will help me learn to housebreak
easier, and will avoid you being mad at me. I am a puppy, accidents
WILL happen, please be patient with me! In time I will learn.
I
am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary
monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase
fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do
not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day.
If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider
an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial,
use your wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate toys, and
activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty
of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk to me in "dog talk",
by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the message, as this is how
dogs communicate with one another. If I get to rough simply ignore me
for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.
I
am Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a
6-month-old human infant so please do not do the same to me. I am
delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I
will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beaten.
Instead, please guide me with encouragement, and wisdom. (For instance,
if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me a toy I
CAN chew) better yet, pick up ANYTHING that you do not want me to get
into. I can't tell the difference between your old sock and your new
sock, or an old sneaker and your 200$ Nikes.
I
am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings, and drives much like
your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a
dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your
every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your
family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want a loving
partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get
bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and
guidelines and training into the kind of family member you want me to
be.
I
am a puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect either.
I Love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training, and
puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books on dog
care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my particular
breed and it's "characteristics" it will give you understanding and
insight into WHY I do the things I do. Please teach me with love, and
patience, the right way to behave and socialize me with training in a
puppy class or obedience class, we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.
I
am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you,
and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I work?
We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain, thirst,
discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and must work to
understand one another's language, body signals, wants and needs. Some
day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be proud of and one
that you will love as much as I love you.
Love,
Your Puppy.
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