Dear God Please Send Me Somebody Who'll Care!
I'm Tired Of Running. I'm Sick With Despair.

My Body Is Aching, It's So Racked With Pain,
And Dear God I Pray As I Run In The Rain.

That Someone Will Love Me And Give Me A Home,
A Warm Cozy Bed And A Big Juicy Bone.

My Last Owner Tied Me All Day In The Yard,
Sometimes With No Water And God That Was Hard!

So I Chewed My Leash God And I Ran Away
To Rummage In Garbage And Live As A Stray.

But Now God I'm Tired And Hungry And Cold.
And I'm So Afraid That I'll Never Grow Old.

They've Chased Me With Sticks And Hit Me With Stones
While I Run The Streets Just Looking For Bones!

I'm Not Really Bad God, Please Help If You Can,
For I Have Become Just A "Victim Of Man!"

I'm Wormy Dear God And I'm Ridden With Fleas And
All That I Want Is An Owner To Please!

If You Find One For Me God, I'll Try To be Good
And I Won't Chew Their Shoes, But I'll Do As I Should.

I'll Love Them, Protect Them And Try To Obey
When They Tell Me To Sit, To Lie Down Or To Stay!

I Don't Think I'll Make It Too Long On My Own,
Cause I'm Getting So weak And I'm So All Alone.

Each Night As I Sleep In The Bushes I Cry,
Cause I'm So Afraid God, That I'm Gonna Die!

And I've Got So Much Love And Devotion To Give,
That I should Be Given A New Chance To Live.

So Dear God Please, Please Answer My Prayer And
Send Me Somebody Who Will Really Care ...
That Is, Dear God, If You're Really There .

Copyright Bev Davenport
Homeless Afghan Rescue & Care
affieluv@msn.com
Inspired by a homeless Afghan Hound named "Clancy" in 1986

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

- Author Unknown

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.

- Author Unknown

I remember the day that you came. So unhappy, your eyes cast down in shame. Why would someone give you up? They'd had you since you were a pup.

What would your story be, sweet one? Did your family grow tired of the doggie fun? Or maybe you just got old and gray, No longer moved fast, and just got in the way.

You were so scared, so unsure, As the person that you loved left you at the door. I called you by name, told you it would be all right; I put my arms around your neck and held you so tight.

As time went on and I earned your trust, Manners and training were a must. And I know that we made quite a pair. Another page turns in foster care.

Not every day was hearts and flowers, you know this much is true, But as a team we kept on trying and saw it all the way through. We spent much time chasing demons; consistency was the key. But little did I realize I needed you as much as you needed me.

The time has come, my Golden one, look how much you've grown. There's a family who wants a dog to love for their very own. You have to move on, as another needs your space. I know you are ready now, the wag of your tail, that smile on your face.

I took notes and pictures, right from the start. But the best memory I have of you is etched deeply in my heart. I will not say goodbye, as that is forever. Our bond is special, I'll forget you never. So spread your wings, my precious one, the world is waiting for you. Soar high, and fly, and begin your life anew.

by Pam Thiess

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring lifes simple pleasures jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joy of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.

If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower except when heading home to the food dish but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape; we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons brings ever-changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flicker and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain.

It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting lifes most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love the steadfast, undying kind that says, It doesnt matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together.

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.

And you will learn humility. The look in my dogs eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will not be just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a path you cannot yet go down.And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.A pets time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during those brief years they are generous enough to give us all of their love every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.

The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead young and whole once more.

Godspeed, good friend, we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.