German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin

  Poems & Such

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

Stray's Prayer

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, and God 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,
or 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, and 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 answer my prayer,
and send me someone who will REALLY care…

That is, dear God, if YOU'RE REALLY there!

 author unknown

If I did not have pets...

1.      I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

2.      My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

3.      All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of pet hair.

4.      When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like the humane society kennels.

5.      When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through furry bodies who beat me there or who are running away to escape the strangers.

6.      I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

7.      I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree...like dog bones, stuffed animals, little balls and string toys. OR have to answer to people why I wrap them.

8.      I would not be on a first name basis with three vets.

9.      The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: "out", "sit", "off", "come", "no", "stay", and "leave him/her/it ALONE".

10. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

11. My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, dog treats and an extra leash.

12. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L or F-R-I-S-B-E- E or W-A-L-K or T-R-E-A-T-S.

13. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

14. I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE pet ties them down too much.

15. I'd look forward to Spring and the melting of the snow instead of dreading "mud season".

16. I would not have to answer the question "Why do I have so many animals?" from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How empty my life would be.

It was a cold day in December, I met my new mom.  She worked very hard at keeping me calm.

She gave me a bath and cleaned me up nice .  She must have enjoyed it cuz she did it twice.

My tummy was hurting and was real upset .  Its because I never knew what food I’d get.

But once I was ‘home’ and knew I was okay , I let my guard down and started to play.

Toys I could play with!!! I pondered with glee!  We just played for hours–my new brother and me.

They talked about keeping me, my new mom and dad , The thought of me leaving it made them both sad.

I knew they were suckers for a sweet guy like me , so I poured on the love, real heavy and thickly.

And sure as I’m golden, I was eating out of their hand .  I wanted to stay!  I barked–making my stand!!!

So here on this day filled with candy and doves, My wishes came true, my OWN family to love.

Thank you to GRRoW and Kristi and Amy and so much to Tami for keeping me safely.

You can now close the books, and set down the phone .  It’s finally official:  I am now a Heyerholm!

Baxter (W01-313), aka Baxter Heyerholm

If It Should Be

If it should be that I grow weak and pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done, for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad - I understand, don't let this grief then stay your hand.

For this day, more than all the rest, your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years, what has to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer so, the time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend, and please stay with me to the end.

Hold me firm, and speak with me, until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see, the kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail it's last has waved, from pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve.

It must be you who has this painful thing to do.

We've been so close, we two, these years, don't let your heart hold back its tears.

 Anonymous

The Shelter Dog

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the little girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me; they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.

These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter - without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control and would have to live outside.
This I didn't understand, although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some training as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left",
I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance?
Do I go home today?

author unknown