I found your dog today.

[DarknessDivine]

I found your dog today.

No, he has not been adopted by anyone.
Most of us who live out here own as many dogs as we want.

Those who do not own dogs, do so because they choose not to.

I know you hoped he would find a good home when
you left him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him, he was miles
from the nearest house, and he was alone, thirsty and thin, and limping from
a burr in his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood
before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into
your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him.
To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known
in his never ending quest to find you...

but I was not you, and despite all my
persuasion, his eyes see a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come.

He turned and continued his journey; one he was
sure would bring him home to you. He does not understand you are not
looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows he must
find you. This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can
give him these things.

Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile. I did not
even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl
with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but
I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun
and a chance to rest. You see he is not of the desert. When you
domesticated him, you took away his instinct of survival out here. His
purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn't know the sun and
heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited, hoping he would return to the tree;
hoping my guilt would build an element of trust, so I might bring him home,
remove the burr from his paw, give him a place to lie and help him
understand that the part of his life with you is now over. He did not
return that morning and at dusk the water and food were untouched. And, I
worried. You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your
dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you
thought you were saving him from would be preempted by his suffering for
days without food and water.

I returned again before dark. I did not see
him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water
untouched.

If only you were here to call his name. Your
voice is so familiar to him. I began pursuit in the direction he had taken
yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you
was desperate. It could take him many miles in 24 hours.

It is hours later and a good distance from where
we first met, but I have found your dog. His thirst has stopped, it is no
longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared, he no longer aches.


The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your
dog has been set free from his burdens.

You see your dog has died.

I kneel next to him and I curse you for not
being here yesterday, so I could see the glow, if just for a moment, in
those now vacant eyes.


I pray that his journey has taken him to that
place I think you hoped he would find.

If only you knew what he went through to reach
it...and I agonize, for I know, that were he to awaken at this moment, and
if I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail
would wag with forgiveness.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

[Carrie]

Is this about a dog who has been dumped? It's really sad.

[DarknessDivine]

Yes, it's about an owner who decides they don't want the dog anymore so they just let it loose..

[Kaiyah]

I wont deny it, I cried while reading this. I know I did not abandoned Demon, he is well taken care of and he is in a good home with people who love him and whom he loves back. but I still feel as though I left him, and I miss him so much. I hope he forgives me for leaving him behind. Someday I hope to bring him here with me. I call back to NY everyday to make sure he is ok and just to hear him bark. I cannot imagine ever abandoning any animal as some people do.

[DarknessDivine]

Ohhhh this doesn't poem doesn't have anything to do with ppl who leave their pets with real ppl to care for them..just the ones who drop them off on the side of the road thinking someone will find them...
I am sure Demon is well taken care of, I doubt you left him w/abusive ppl. He knows you love him because he is taken care of...just know that.

[IceyBlueSibes]

That is so sad I don't see how people can just dump their dog somewhere, and have them sit there and watch you as you drive away I could never do that....

[PitBullie09]

Awe so sad.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Has anyone ever felt as if they just despise humans? As if people are just vicious, evil beasts that hurt feelings, murder and injure? I have .

[Ritz459]

That's sad.... I feel so sorry for dogs that are dumped..... Brownie was a dog that had been dumped.... Luckly, she decided to stick around with us and didn't try to find her way back home. I went to school with the girl who's family had dumped her. I don't have any idea why they had dumped her.... I think the girl said that their dad didn't want her any more.... poor doggie....

(P.S. The girl said Brownie's name was Shelby, but I liked the name Brownie better.)

[Pugdawg1]

When I woke up this AM, heard a car slam on its breaks down the street, I looked out, they'd hit a dog. Looked like a black lab again. That's the 2nd lab i've seen hit by a car in 2 months. Animal control came and took the dog, I heard them say they were going to the vet, apparently the dog was still alive. Poor thing. Sucks.

[ChiChi]

that made me cry! it is sooo sad at how some people can be! and like in my signature : a dog is not just for christmas its for LIFE!