The baby monkey in the lab.....
Kristen Sharer
When Billy was 6
One fine Easter day,
He received a gift
With which he could play.
It was a sweet little bunny
With hair to the floor.
What could have happened
When it was found dead by the door?
Accidental, they said.
Billy's just a child.
He just played too rough.
He got a little bit wild.
When Billy was 10
At a neighbor's house,
He poured some bleach
On a friendly pet mouse.
Boys will be boys
Is what they said.
Be careful, they added
As they patted his head.
When Billy turned 12
They found some deep cuts
On the face and the neck
Of the sweet family mutt.
No harm was done.
The dog's not hurt bad.
He didn't mean to do it.
He truly feels sad.
When Billy was 16,
He took a gun to school.
He fired upon them
While calling them fools.
When Billy was finished
Having his fun,
He smiled at his carnage
And lay down his gun.
The town went on weeping
All through the trial.
He showed no remorse.
He showed not a smile.
What happened, they asked,
To a boy so fine?
How could it be
He showed not a sign.
What about me?
Said the ghost of the long dead mouse?
And I the rabbit
Who was found dead in his house?
And the elderly dog
With scars that still showed
Softly whined and wondered,
HOW DIDN'T THEY KNOW?
The baby monkey in the lab.....
Guila
Manchester.
The lighted window shows the room
so warm and softly glowing,
The tree so tall with twinkling
lights
And all the presents showing.
While just outside a starving cat
Stands shivering in the cold,
And down the street a stray dog
limps,
So tired and sick and old.
The baby monkey in the lab
Lets out a cry of fear.
The thing he thought was mother
Shot out quills when he drew near.
The car speeds by, the puppy cries
And drags her broken leg.
The beaver in the leghold trap
Lifts pain-filled eyes that beg.
How can we speak of peace on earth
And know these things are so,
And say they don't concern us
And we ought to let them go?
How can we think we have the right
To torture needlessly,
When all the time we know so well
It shouldn't have to be.
Come join with us at Christmas time
And pledge ourselves anew.
They need our help so badly,
There's so much that we can do.
Don't turn your back upon their pain
Because it's hard to see.
They have no other place to turn,
They've only you and me.
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 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.
Because I now live in a 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 ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of
control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one;
they said they hadn't 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, just to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the
shelter, but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup,
Then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.
You only have one day left." I heard the worker say. " Does that mean I have a second chance ?
DO I GO HOME TODAY ?
Albert Schweitzer
Hear our
prayer O Lord ... for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly
treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death....
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
Unknown
Now I lay me down to rest
I pray my soul can stand this test
Of watching critters lose their homes
While owners gripe and cry and moan
I long for strength of spirit that
They'll find a loving home again
Where they will know a loving heart
I can't do much, but it's a start
And spare me from the owner's pleas
About the baby's allergies
Or how they're moving out of state
Or spitefulness 'tween cat and mate
Please keep me sane while dealing with
The woman who bought as a gift
A wriggling tiny ball of fluff
That now is playing way too rough
Remind me I should bite my lip
When confronted with "he grew too quick"
"I didn't know he'd get so large"
"He seems to think that he's in charge"
Protect my heart when I hear them say
"I think we'll breed our dog one day"
Sometimes I think it'll break in two;
Each day brings trials harsh and new
And if I die before I wake
I pray one hopeless soul you'll take
My tears are gone, my faith is bare
Lord, please hear my rescue prayer.
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