THOUGHTS OF A NEWLY ADOPTED SHELTER DOG

Now that I am home, bathed, settled, and fed,

All nicely tucked into my warm new bed.

I would like to open my baggage.

Lest I forget,

There is so much to carry—

So much to regret.

Hmm. Yes, there it is, right on top-

Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache, and Loss,

And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.

As I look on these things, I tried so hard to leave,

I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,

But I wasn’t good enough, for they didn’t want me.

Will you add to my baggage?

Will you help me unpack?

Or will you just look at my things

And take me right back?

Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage,

To never re-pack?

I pray that you do, I’m so tired you see,

But I do come with baggage,

Will you still want me?

by Evelyn Colbath

 

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I’m not there to see;

The sun will rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry

The way you did today,

Remembering how I’d lay my head

In your lap that special way.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time you think of me,

I know you’ll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name

And petted me with her hand

She said my place was ready,

In Heaven far above,

And that I’d have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away,

A tear fell from my eye,

For all my life I never thought

That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for,

So many sits and downs to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together

I know you must be sad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

And all the fun we had.

Remember how I would nudge your hand,

And poke you with my nose?

The frisbee I would gladly chase,

The bad guy I’d “bark and hold.”

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for awhile,

I’d wag my tail and kiss you,

Just so I could see you smile.

But, then I fully realized,

That this could never be;

For emptiness and memories

Will take the place of me,

And when I thought of treats and toys,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you and when I did,

My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven’s gate,

And felt so much at home;

As God looked down and smiled at me,

From his beautiful golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity,

And now we welcome you,

Today your life on earth is past,

But here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last;

For you see, each day’s the same day,

There’s no longing for the past.

Now you have been so faithful,

So trusting, loyal, and true;

Though there were times you did things,

You knew you shouldn’t do.

But good dogs are forgiven,

And now at last you’re free;

So won’t you sit here by my side,

And wait right here with me?”

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart.

For every time you think of me,

I’m right there, in your heart.

 

Author Unknown