What morning when you waken
is the right one to decide
That this dog will be forsaken
And no more with you abide?

A dog like this, she'll find a home
And what will be the harm
In telling all the children
That she'll be living on a farm?

As you bring her in and leave her
In her lonely metal cage
And act as though you have no choice
I feel a silent rage

What heinous thing has this dog done?
What has been her crime?
Or are there other things more pressing
And you don't have the time?

This dog who loved her master
And served him day by day
Has become an inconvenience
And has now been sent away

She keeps a faithful vigil
The tears in my eyes burn
While with trusting expectation
She awaits for your return

A dog like this will have no home,
No master will be found
For who will take an older dog
When younger ones abound?

Now at last her time has come,
And with a gentle nod
I'll cradle your dog in my arms
And send her back to God.

My best friend closed his eyes last night,
As his head was in my hand.
The Doctors said he was in pain,
And it was hard for him to stand.

The thoughts that scurried through my head,
As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
And OH ... his many charms.

Today, there was no gentle nudge
With an intense "I love you gaze,"
Only a heart that's filled with tears
Remembering our joy filled days.

But an Angel just appeared to me,
And he said, "You should cry no more,
GOD also loves our canine friends,
He's installed a 'doggy-door'!

After I was discharged from the Navy, Jim and I moved back to Detroit to use our GI bill benefits to get some schooling. Jim was going for a degree in Electronics and I, after much debating, decided to get mine in Computer Science. One of the classes that was a requirement was Speech. Like many people, I had no fondness for getting up in front of people for any reason let alone to be the center of attention as I stuttered my way through some unfamiliar subject, but I couldn't get out of the requirement and so I found myself in my last semester before graduation with Speech as one of my classes.

On the first day of class our professor explained to us that he was going to leave the subject matter of our talks up to us, but he was going to provide the motivation of the speech. We would be responsible for six speeches, each with a different motivation. For instance our first speech's purpose was to inform. He advised us to pick subjects that we were interested in and knowledgeable about. I decided to center my six speeches around animals especially dogs.

My first speech was to inform; I talked about the equestrian art of dressage. My second speech was to demonstrate; I brought my German Shepherd, Bodger, to class and demonstrated obedience commands. Finally, the semester was almost over and I had but one more speech to give. This speech was to take the place of a written final exam and was to count for fifty percent of our grade. The speech's motivation was to persuade. After agonizing over a subject matter and keeping with my animal theme, I decided on the topic of spaying and neutering pets. My goal was to try to persuade my classmates to neuter their pets. So I started researching the topic. There was plenty of material, articles that told of the millions of dogs and cats that were euthanized every year, of supposedly beloved pets that were turned in to various animal control facilities for the lamest of reasons, or worse dropped off far from home, bewildered and scared. Death was usually a blessing. The final speech was looming closer, but I felt well prepared. My notes were full of facts and statistics that I felt sure would motivate even the most naive of pet owner to succumb to my plea.

A couple of days before our speeches were due, I had the bright idea of going to the local branch of the Humane Society and borrowing a puppy to use as a sort of a visual aid. I called the Humane Society and explained what I wanted. They were very happy to accommodate me. I made arrangements to pick up a puppy the day before my speech. The day before my speech, I went to pick up the puppy. I was feeling very confident. I could quote all the statistics and numbers without ever looking at my notes. The puppy, I felt, would add the final emotional touch.

When I arrived at the Humane Society I was met by a young guy named Ron. He explained that he was the public relations person for the Humane Society. He was very excited about my speech and asked if I would like a tour of the facilities before I picked up the puppy. I enthusiastically agreed.

We started out in the reception area, which was the general public's initial encounter with the Humane Society. The lobby was full, mostly with people dropping off various animals that they no longer wanted. Ron explained to me that this branch of the Humane society took in about fifty animals a day and adopted out twenty. As we stood there I heard snatches of conversation, I can't keep him, he digs holes in my garden. They're such cute puppies, I know you will have no trouble finding homes for them. She is wild, I can't control her. I heard one of Humane Society's volunteer explain to the lady with the litter of puppies that the Society was filled with puppies and that these puppies, being black, would immediately be put to sleep. Black puppies, she explained, had little chance of being adopted. The woman who brought the puppies in just shrugged, "I can't help it. They are getting too big, I don't have room for them."

We left the reception area; Ron lead me into the staging area where all of the in coming animals were evaluated for adoptability. Over half never even made it to the adoption center. There were just too many. Not only were people bringing in their own animals, but strays were also dropped off. By law, the Humane Society had to hold a stray for three days. If the animal was not claimed by then it was euthanized, since there was no background information on the animal. There were already too many animals that had a known history eagerly provided by their soon to be ex-owners. As we went through the different areas, I felt more and more depressed. No amount of statistics, could take the place of seeing the reality of what this throw away attitude did to the living, breathing animal. It was over overwhelming.

Finally, Ron stopped in front of a closed door. "That's it," he said, "except for this." I read the sign on the door: Euthanization Area. "Do you want to see one?" he asked. Before I could decline, he interjected, "you really should, you can't tell the whole story unless you experience the end." I reluctantly agreed. "Good," he said, "I already cleared it and Peggy is expecting you." He knocked firmly on the door. It was opened immediately by a middle-aged woman, in a white lab coat. "Here's the girl I was telling you about," Ron explained. Peggy looked me over. "Well, I'll leave you here with Peggy and meet you in the reception area in about fifteen minutes. I'll have the puppy ready." With that, Ron departed leaving me standing in front of the stern looking Peggy. Peggy motioned me in. As I walked into the room, I gave an audible gasp. The room was small and spartan. There were a couple of cages on the wall and a cabinet with syringes and vials of a clear liquid. In the middle of the room was an examining table with a rubber mat on top. There were two doors other than the one I had entered. Both were closed, one said to incinerator room, and the other had no sign, but I could hear various animals noises coming from behind the closed door. In the back of the room near the door that was marked incinerator, were the objects that caused my distress: two wheel barrels, filled with the bodies of dead kittens and puppies. I stared in horror. Nothing had prepared me for this; I felt my legs grow weak and my breathing become rapid and shallow. I wanted to run from that room screaming. Peggy seemed not to notice my state of shock. She started talking about the euthanizaton process, but I wasn't hearing her. I could not tear my gaze away from the wheelbarrows and those dozens of pathetic little bodies.

Finally, Peggy seemed to noticed that I was not paying attention to her. "Are you listening?" she asked irritably, "I'm only going to go through this once." I tore my gaze from the back of the room and looked at her. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing would come out, so I nodded. She told me that behind the unmarked door were the animals that were scheduled for euthanasia that day. She picked up the chart that was hanging from the wall. One fifty-three is next. She said as she looked at the chart. I'll go get him. She laid down the chart on the examining table and started for the unmarked door. Before she got to the door she stopped and turned around. "You aren't going to get hysterical are you?" she asked, "because that will only upset the animals." I shook my head. I had not said a word since I walked into that room. I still felt unsure if I would be able to without breaking down into tears.

As Peggy open the unmarked door I peered into the room beyond. It was a small room, but the walls were lined and stacked with cages. It looked like they were all occupied. Peggy opened the door of one of the lower cages and removed the occupant. From what I could see, it looked like a medium-sized dog. She attached a leash and ushered the dog into the room in which I stood. As Peggy brought the dog into the room I could see that the dog was no more than a puppy maybe five or six months old. The pup had an amount of tan above his eyes and on his feet. He was very excited and bouncing up and down, trying to sniff everything in this new environment. Peggy lifted the pup onto the table. She had a card in her hand which she laid on the table next to me. I read the card. It said that number one fifty-three was a mixed Shepherd, 6 months old. He was surrendered two days ago by a family. Reason of surrender was given as "jumps on children". At the bottom was a note that said Name: Sam. Peggy was quick and efficient, from lots of practice, I guessed.

She laid one fifty-three down on his side and tied a rubber tourniquet round his front leg. She turned to fill the syringe from the vial of clear liquid. All this time I was standing at the head of the table. I could see the moment that one fifty-three went from a curious puppy to a terrified puppy. He did not like being held down and he started to struggle. It was then that I finally found my voice. I bent over the struggling puppy and whispered Sam. Your name is Sam. At the sound of his name Sam quit struggling. He wagged his tail tentatively and his soft pink tongue darted out and licked my hand And that is how he spent his last moment. I watched his eyes fade from hopefulness to nothingness. It was over very quickly. I had never even seen Peggy give the lethal shot. The tears could not be contained any longer. I kept my head down so as not to embarrass myself in front of the stoic Peggy. My tears fell onto the still body on the table. "Now you know," Peggy said softly. Then she turned away. "Ron will be waiting for you." I left the room.

Although it seem like it had been hours, only fifteen minutes had gone by since Ron had left me at the door. I made my way back to the reception area. True to his word, Ron had the puppy already to go. After giving me some instructions about what to feed the puppy, he handed the carrying cage over to me and wished me good luck on my speech.

That night I went home and spent many hours playing with the orphan puppy. I went to bed that night but I could not sleep. After a while I got up and looked at my speech notes with their numbers and statistics. Without second thought I tore them up and threw them away. I went back to bed. Sometime during the night I finally fell asleep.

The next morning I arrived at my Speech class with Puppy Doe. When my turn came to give my speech. I walked up to the front the class with the puppy in my arms. I took a deep breath, and I told the class about the life and death of Sam. When I finished my speech I became aware that I was crying. I apologized to the class and took my seat. After class the teacher handed out a critique with our grades. I had got an A. His comments said "very moving and persuasive." Two days later on the last day of class, one of my classmates came up to me. She was an older lady that I had never spoken to in class. She stopped me on our way out of the classroom. "I want you to know that I adopted the puppy you brought to class," she said, "His name is Sam."

I'll lend you for a little while, a wee Cairn pup God said
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or only two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain;
Nor hate me when I come to take my wee dog back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joys this pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've never known forever grateful stay.

But should you come to call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand,
If by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve.
In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful friend departs this world of strife
We'll have another wee Cairn pup and we'll love him all his life."

Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to say.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

Look not where I was
For I am not there
My spirit is free
I am everywhere

In the air that you breathe
In the sounds that you here
Don't cry for me Mom
My spirit is near

I'll watch for you
From the other side
I'll be the one running
New friends by my side

Smile at my memory
Remember in your heart
This isn't the end
It's a brand new start

One final goodnight - then released from the pain -
The anguish of spirit - the dreams dreamed in vain.
Though brief was your time here, you captured my heart
That vowed not to love you, but now breaks apart.
From you I've learned patience and courage and trust;
That loving brings pain, but love we all must.
From you I've learned strength of the spirit, and then
from you I've learned not to say "never again".

Go back to the Giver of all lovely things -
Go quickly, my sweet, and let your heart take wings.
Just know I've learned so many lessons from you,
and shall never forget them - this promise is true.
Your total devotion made my life so bright.
I shall always adore you - Goodnight, Love, Goodnight.

The time has come I think you know
The Lord is calling so I must go
I love you so much; I wish it wasn't so
I wish I could stay; I don't want to go

You're the best family a dog ever had
So kind and gentle, never mean or mad
I'll never forget the day that we met
I was so lucky to become your pet

You opened your door and showed me your heart
I'll never forget you; we'll never part
You loved me and cared for me over the years
You taught me everything and took away my fears

The Lord is calling now I must go
But before I go I want you to know
I know it hurts to lose a friend
But I'll always be with you even to the end.

They come into our lives for such a short time
A time we wouldn't trade not even for a dime
Then before you know it the years have flown by
And then all of a sudden we're saying goodbye

It wasn't that long ago we said our good-byes
We held on to you tight as you closed your eyes
Your spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove
Into God's loving arm's; in heaven above

Over the days we've shed many tears
But the memories we have will live on for years
We feel your presence and we know that your near
You're keeping us safe and calming our fear

We think about memories from years past
When you were young and strong and ran so fast
We remember all the great times that we all had
How you always made us happy never made us mad

They were the best and happiest years we had
We'll always look back on them and never be sad
We look forward to the time we'll be together again
And we thank the Lord for such a great friend

Now you run and play up in Heaven above
Cradled in God's arms covered with his love
Playing by the Bridge waiting for the day
We come down through the meadow to the bridge to stay

The love that you showed us we'll never forget
Because to us you're one very special pet
You're like a star in the dark of night
Always watching over us with the Lord's light

So now we take time to remember our best friend
Who will always be with us even to the end
We'll always remember you the way you were
One big lovable hugable pile of fur

You lay in my lap with your amber eyes looking up at me. We both knew this day would come. As I run my hands through your coat, You let out a low sigh.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

You've been my best friend, the one who has seen it all with me. You've been there through the goo and the bad. You were there To stand with me when I felt tall, and there to comfort me when I felt small.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

I tell you I love you and you whine a low whine. We knew it would come and we wouldn't know the time. Forever is an illusion we create to avoid the pain. It's a lie we tell ourselves to keep ourselves sane.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

You've guided me through some rough times in my life. You've Believed in me when nobody else would. You've kept be sane and Out of harm's way. You couldn't talk words but you had lots to say.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

You feel my pain and hurt my hurt. As I sob and cry, you look up At me and whine with a paw on my thigh. You do know that the time Has come and your body is telling you why.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

Your heart aches. We know this isn't for fake. They say that a Heart is a big place. I guess that makes this easier to face.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

As we sit together and face this gloom, we both know that our Hearts are going to have to make room for another. As I sob and I Cry, oh why, oh why, oh why, God why? You lay your head of my Thigh as if to say . . .

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

With the wagging of your tail and many a tear in my eye, I know You'd work for me 'til the day you die. To know you and make you Feel pain would drive me insane. I always hard that you've got to Love somebody enough to set them free. This isn't the first time This pain has happened to me.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

I know you'll be a star in your new home. It's comforting to know that neither of us will really ever be alone. We carry each other's spirit and memories into eternity. We'll meet again someday in the here after and there will be smiles and laughter.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

Goodbye isn't forever; it's a temporary thing. Knowing you'll be happy and not in so much pain makes my heart sing.

Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

I will never know what I did to deserve such an awful life full of abuse and neglect.
My life had become so sad and lonely it was like living in an endless, dark tunnel.
I remember looking up one day and seeing a bright light shining at the end of the tunnel.
The light was so bright I thought that God must have send an angel to finally end my suffering.

God did send an angel, he sent you.
The bright light I had seen was your smiling face.
You promised me that my days of neglect and abuse were over.
My battered body and broken spirit hardly dared to believe it was true.

You opened your heart and your home and gave me more love and comfort and safety than I had every known before.
You gave me the softest bed my tired, aching bones had ever felt
And more toys and attention that I had ever dreamed existed.

I no longer cringed when a hand was raised near me, because your
Hands had only kindness and treats to offer me.
I no longer feared the sound of feet approaching, because your feet
had never kicked me, they had only taken me on wonderful adventures
to exciting new places.

Although "quantity" of time can be measured in days and weeks,
There is no way to measure the "quality" of time.
So there is no way to really measure just how deeply your love and devotion affected my life.
But sometimes, even love and devotion and all the medical attention in
The world can't heal a body that has been battered and broken for so long.

So please do not be sad that I am gone.
You performed a miracle in what little time we had together.
You made my spirits soar and helped my sour find peace and contentment.
From the day I met you I never suffered again, not even at the end.

Just knowing that my memory would live in your heart forever gave me
The strength to let go and find my way to the Rainbow Bridge.

So go forward from today with only happy memories of me in your heart
And let them give you the strength to keep on lighting up sad, lost lives.
Remember I will live forever in your heart and in the stars up above and
My star will shine brighter with every life that's touched by your love.