DEAR FOSTER MOM:

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.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
 
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
 
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.

There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who
was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

We find beauty in the most incomprehensible places and the otherwise homely faces.
It is our gift to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness and defeat and find the true soul that lies within.
We are Rescue.

TENDER HEARTS
A Tribute to Volunteers
By Dee Clair
I greet each day inside my cage
And wait for God to write my page.
I wonder if you'll come today,
And let me feel the light of day?
My whole life has been dark with pain.
And those who caused it -- what did they gain?
They stole my trust, my livelihood,
And all because thy simply could.
I yearn to run though scented fields
Without a cage and lock to yield.
To chase a squirrel that can't be caught; To earn a love that can't be bought.
But the darkest days have a light
In the quiet mornings that follow night.
You come to visit every day
Without a motive, without pay.
You carried me when I was weak,
Brought trust I was too pained to seek.
You healed my wounds that took their toll -- You rescued my slowly dying soul.
And now I listen for your voice,
Knowing that you're here by choice.
You didn't know me at the start,
And yet I'm planted in your heart.
I'm learning to accept your praise
And not avert my fearful gaze.
Forgive me if I cower still;
My life has been against my will.
I feel that you are growing tired
Within this fight that you've been mired.
If you can keep your doubts at bay,
It would mean the world if you could stay.
I can't predict how this will end,
But I know this of you, my friend --
You selflessly all played your part;
You saved me with your tender heart!
 

Today I pulled a GSD (German Shepherd Dog) from a kill shelter on his last day (-- as a forever home). I pulled him at 5pm, he had until 6pm. I feel humbled by this German Shepherd (as yet unnamed). He's an oldie -- he was listed at 5 years but I think he's more like 8 or 9, and have done all along. Anyway, he's a beautiful beast -- 80 lbs out of the shelter, tall, paws like a bear. He hasn't been looked after and his coat is matted to the skin, and I doubt he's ever been washed. He has terrible diarrhea, the dirtiest ears, and small lesions on his eyes that are caused by injury such as chemical splatter burns, or foreign objects contacting the eye.

He had a little diarrhea in the vet's office and started trying to lick it off the floor, then got scared when we stopped him, and panicked momentarily until I gently led him outside. It's not fixation as he only did it when he soiled indoors. I guess he has learned over the years that consuming your own waste is preferable to whatever punishment comes from leaving it. In the truck on the way home he had an accident in the back -- I was on the interstate and couldn't immediately stop. I watched him in the rear view mirror; as he pinned himself against the side of the truck and tried his best to not get in it I spoke to him softly, telling
him it was ok because he wasn't well. But he wouldn't look at me -- he hadn't since we left the shelter. It was as though I was invisible to him.

We stopped at a CVS and I ran in and got baby wipes, liquid hand sani, two beach towels, and Gatorade. I opened up the back, gave him some Gatorade/water, let him out, and we went for a walk on the grass. On our return I had him stay while I cleared out the dirty towels and replaced them with new, clean towels. He jumped back in and I gently wiped his
feet clean with the baby wipes while singing to him to calm his nerves. When I was done I scratched him on the head, and as I did he leaned down to my free hand and gently licked it a few times, then raised his head to look right in my eyes. For the rest of the ride home he sat peacefully and watched the landscape pass by, but I monitored him still in the
mirror, and found he spent a good part of the time just looking at me. 

Our greatest possession, man or beast, is our dignity, and when you restore that dignity to one who has lost it, you give the greatest of gifts. Today I was allowed! to give that gift, and I'm humbled by the experience.

- Unknown.

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands." With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

"How much?" asked the little boy.

"No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

BYE BABY

No more lonely cold nights or hearing that I'm bad.
No more growling belly from meals I never had.
No more scorching sunshine with a water bowl that's dry.
No more complaining neighbors about the noise when I cry.
No more hearing "shut up" or "get down" or "get out of here"!
No more feeling disliked, only peace is in the air.
Euthanasia is a blessing, though some can't see
why I was ever born.  If I weren't meant to be.
My last day of living was the best I ever had.
Someone held me very close, I could see she was very sad.
I kissed the lady's face, and she hugged me as she cried.
I wagged my tail to thank her, than I closed my eyes and died.

Written by an Animal shelter volunteer in Massena

PETS TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me; it is critical for my well being.
4.  Don't be angry for me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.  You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words I understand your voice.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand but I choose not to bite you.
8.  Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself whether something might be bothering me.  Perhaps I'm not getting the right food. I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old and weak.
9.  Take care of me when I get old.  You too will grow old.
10.  Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absence."  Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember I love you.

ANIMAL HEAVEN

He hoped each time would be different, but it never was.
As the people showed up, the old one watched and he waited.
It always seemed to be in vain.
The young ones bounced and whined at the crate doors as the people walked past.
And the people would "ooh" and "ahh" at their lust for life.
When the people stopped at the old one's crate, he would struggle to right himself...tail swaying more than wagging.
His muzzle was grayed, his teeth worn and stained and his eyes clouded over.
The people couldn't recognize the depth of the soul contained in those eyes and they would continue on.
No one ever wanted the old ones.
As the young ones bounded off beside their new masters, the old one watched and he waited.
No one came for him.

Time went on and the other old ones were helped to Heaven early.
As he watched his friends being led from the kennel, the old one sighed and his hope faded.
He began to wish he too could come to rest with his old friends.
People continued to visit to the kennel, and the old one pled to them with his eyes, "Please".
But the people passed him by without a glance.
The old one watched and he waited.

One day Angels appeared, in human form, but the old one could sense they were Angels.
They came right to him and they smiled.
He wondered if he'd gone to Heaven.
They released him from his barred home, rubbing and hugging his depleted body.
He swayed his tail and gave a few happy hops.
It was all he had the strength to do.
Trusting his fate to them, they left the kennel.
He traveled a long distance with these Angels and other old ones as well.
The old one watched and he waited, knowing it must be a special journey he was chosen for.

He arrived at a place that smelled unfamiliar and was greeted by more Angels dressed as humans.
He was cleansed of the grit and grime of his past existence.
He was kissed and stroked.
He was sure this was Heaven.
A kind woman with two small humans approached.
The old one watched and he waited.
The woman looked gently upon him and softly rubbed his head as she spoke to the Angels.
The small humans lovingly hugged his neck.
He thought Heaven was perfect.

The woman took him "home", where there lived two more small humans and a kindhearted man.
There were two young ones waiting for him at the door, and they welcomed him.
He then knew his wait was not in vain.
The old one now rests his weary body upon soft beds.
He has soft grass to cushion his feet as he romps through the yard with the young ones.
He is loved and loves back without restraint.
His goodness and worth finally recognized, And he watches and waits no more.