Do I Go Home Today?
By Sandi Thompson
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

All of God's creatures have rights, a fact that most people don't seem to recognize. This includes both human and non-human animals, but not all of them can speak for themselves.

Do I Go Home Today?
By Sandi Thompson

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 rug, for hours we would tug. 
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug. 
They said 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 the 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 a worker say. 
Does that mean I have a second chance? 
Do I go home today?


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