Ok You Will Need Kleenex!

I hadn't read this poem before today and you will need a box or two! No problem if you want to spread it around!

A Shelter Dog asks God...

By Joan C. Fremo



Dear God,



What is "Time"?

I hear the sadness in the voices of workers here. They say my "Time is up", that they have to make room for yet another dog.

My "Time" is up.

I don't know what that means, God. I only know that my new friends are so sad, and the more I wag my tail---the harder I try to make them feel better-- -the sadder they become.


I know I have heard that word "Time" before, but I don't understand.

When I was younger, my people would say "Time to play!" They would throw the ball, and I would run fast. Sometimes I brought it back to them, but other times we'd end up chasing each other having fun.


I remember "Time to eat". My people would put down a bowl of food, and I would enjoy dinner, wagging my tail in joy.

There was also "Time for your walk". My boy would put my leash on, and we would go walking together, visiting the neighborhood and enjoying each other's company.

When I was younger I thought "Time" meant fun. Or maybe Love?

I don't understand. "Time" must mean something else, but how can it change, God?


Before I came here, I heard my people say, "No time to feed you now, boy. Later, when I get home." Sometimes my family would forget, and there was no food in my bowl.

Does "Time" mean when my belly hurts?

My people said there was no time for walks. I tried to hold it all day long-- but God, I just couldn't anymore. When I finally had to go, it made my family very angry.

Does "Time" means anger?


Or maybe Loneliness? My family said they didn't have "Time". They didn't have time to play, or time to take me to the vet, or time to go for walks. They didn't have "Time", so they brought me here. Maybe I was right... They said they didn't have time, and if "Time" means Love, how did they lose it?


Did I do something wrong?

God, I think my new friends are sending me to you. Do you have "Time"? May I sit on the couch? Am I a good Dog, God?

Is it "Time"?

Thanks for posting this, pattymac, and for the warning. By the time I got to the last three lines I really needed the kleenex.

So sad and, all too often, so true.:(

It's amazing how often this seems to happen! I hang out on Cesar's FB page, helping when I can as Cesar doesn't post anything there..it's amazing how many sad stories there are. People begging for Cesar's help which is sad in itself, so far just today there are two people being told to put their dogs down either don't want to take the time to train or get crappy advice and think Cesar can save their dog and they don't want to look elsewhere!

What a beautiful poem :cry: :cry:
I wish I could save them all, and that none of them would ever doubt what love is. :(

Thank you for sharing it :grouphug:

That is very sad,for sure:(
I often think,what right do we as humans have to decide an animal has to die,do they not have any rights,do they not deserve to live,most want nothing but love..
It's us humans that are the killers of innocent lives and I wish it would end,wish that people would change,but doubt that will ever happeen:(