Once I was a lonely dog, 
Just looking for a home. 
I had no place to go, 
No one to call my own. 

I wandered up and down the streets, 
In rain, in heat and snow. 
I ate whatever I could find, 
I was always on the go. 

My skin would itch, my feet were sore, 
My body ached with pain. 
And no one stopped to give a pat 
Or to gently say my name. 

I never saw a loving glance, 
I was always on the run. 
For people thought that hurting me 
was really lots of fun. 

And then one day I heard a voice 
So gentle, kind and sweet. 
And arms so soft reached down to me 
And took me off my feet. 

"No one again will hurt you", 
Was whispered in my ear. 
"You'll have a home to call your own 
Where you will know no fear." 
"You will be dry, you will be warm, 
You'll have enough to eat, 
And rest assured that when you sleep, 
Your dreams will be sweet." 

I was afraid I must admit, 
I've lived so long in fear. 
I can't remember when I let 
A human come so near. 

And as she tended to my wounds 
And bathed and brushed my fur 
She told me about the rescue group 
And what it meant to her. 

She said, We are a circle, 
A line that never ends. 
And in the circle there is you,  
Protected by your friends. 

And all around you are 
The ones that check the pounds, 
And those that share their home 
After you've been found. 

And all the other folks 
Are searching near and far, 
To find the perfect home for you, 
Where you can be a star. 

She said, "There is a family, 
That's waiting patiently, 
And pretty soon we'll find them, 
Just you wait and see." 

"And then they'll loin our circle, 
They'll help to make it grow, 
So there'll be more room for more like you, 
Who have no place to go." 

I waited very patiently, 
The days they came and went. 
Today's the day I thought,  
My family will be sent. 
Then just when I began to think 
It wasn't meant to be, 
There were people, gazing down at me. 

I knew in a heart beat, 
I could tell they felt it too 
They said "We have been waiting 
For a special dog like you." 

Now every night I say a prayer 
To all the gods that be. 
"Thank you for the life I live 
and all you've given me." 

"But most of all protect the dogs 
In the pound and on the street. 
And send a special person, to lift them off their feet. 

~written by Arlene Pace~