One By One
(dedicated to all those that rescue)
Author Unknown

One by one, they file past my cage
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way
Way past his time, he can't run and play
Then they shake their heads slowly and go
on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore
It seems I am not wanted anymore
I once had a home, I once had a bed
A place that was warm, and where I was fed

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong
I got in their way; my attitude was wrong

Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day
The younger dogs all get adopted away

When I had almost come to the end of my rope
You saw my face, and I finally had hope
You saw through the grey and the legs bent with age
And felt that I still had life beyond this cage

You took me home, gave me food and a bed
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggle and play and you talk to me low
You love me so dearly, you want me to know

I may have lived most of my life with another
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger
And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live

I may be with you for a week or for years
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave
I know you will cry and your heart it will grieve

And when I arrive at the Bridge all brand new
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And I will brag to all that will hear
Of the person who made my last days oh, so dear

=============================

This one was printed and will be sent to a young Marine in Iraq, who said
"Are you nuts, she is old ! do you want to go through that again?" This from the kid that loves dogs. We did lose his 12 year old Irish to cancer just before he left for boot in 02, then while he was in boot we lost our 10 year old Irish also to cancer.
( a father and son, the vet said that it was hereditary) Then we lost our 17 year
old to old age while he was home on leave in 03. He helped me bury two of them in the orchard. Then in Nov 03 we lost our 10 year old Gordon to renal failure.
On his leave before he shipped to Iraq he barely paid any attention to "the granny setter" His loss. I guess my point is an old dog needs, wants and deserves to live out their days loved, well fed, comfortable, warm and well taken care of. As I type this Granny is on the couch behind me, on her back with one paw in the air, totally comfortable as she should be. Yes it will kick my s@@ when she heads for the bridge, but I will know her "retirement" was like mine is. Loved, very well fed, comfortable, warm and very well taken care of.
When you see that old dog in the cage at the rescue, look beyond the age, medical problems and the fact that they may not be as playfull as a puppy, see the love and companionship that they will give. She does, We did and do not regret it !

I agree wholeheartedly. I found SCD on the Petfinder's site. When I saw my male, Grindle's, photo, I knew he was my boy. But, I also saw a photo of Betty Boop - an older red/rust female. I kept going back and looking at her photo. You could see she was an older dog, as she had gray on her muzzle.

On that Saturday, November 6th, my husband and I drove from Metamora to SCD. Grindle was our boy for sure, but I wanted to see Betty. I took one look at her and knew that she needed a home that would care for her until her last day came - gray muzzle, soft tumor on one side, a little "hitch" in one hip. I remember some of the girls shed a few tears that she was leaving. Rest assured that both of these wonderful companions are well-fed, warm, comfortable and well-cared for. As I write this, they are both on their respective sofas in the sunroom; sleeping peacefully, content and happy.

It's a shame people overlook the seniors in lieu of a puppy - they have so much to offer. And they are, for the most part, already trained. Betty has such personality, is incredibly smart and just as sweet as pie (even though she looks like the Devil dog). She runs Grindle all over the map. Wiithout a doubt, she is the boss and he accedes to her wishes.

Thank you, Sherri, for the wonderful poem. It certainly sums it up in a nutshell. I'd like to think with all the caring people on this Board, education in all forms is on the rise and spreading among families throughout in the community.


Sincerely,


Linda