Will Love for Shelter

A poem for every adopted dawg

by

JC Smith

The barks, the howls, and the growls at the shelter made him shy,
and the mournful expression on his face made me want to cry.
That some owners would abandon their pets who honestly try; it’s just too hard to understand and makes me wonder why?

But adoption will give him a second chance,I am determined to care for him without taking a backward glance.This ol’ pitiful dog has become my new-found friend,and we’ll be together until his natural life’s end

.Our first days together were quite nervous and shaky, but we’ll have time to build a lasting trust.His dreams probably remind him of past heartaches,a life that had been so terribly unjust.

I soon learned his habits as I taught him new feats,and I rewarded him with my special tasty treats.Together we found this old dog could learn new tricksand he gladly rewarded me with his loving, wet licks!

Now when I grasp his leash he knows it's time to go jawg.
The wag of his tail and his eager, high-pitch yelpshows me the renewed life in my new ol’ dawg.Sadly, there remain too many more that need our kind help.

Thousands still live afraid in a cold shelter pen;any day their lives may come to a quick and lonely end.They all promise to love you for warm shelter and food,So, please, won’t you and your family adopt a new friend too?

Sunday, April 9, 2001 - 2007 at Rozar Park in Perry from 1 to 3 PM. It's the Third Annual Perry Dawg Jawg at the Dogwood Festival.