Poem Written By A Dog Abandoned At An Animal Shelter

 

This week on June 25th, a video posted on Facebook of a man dragging three dogs into the Harris County Animal Shelter in Houston, Texas went viral with over 10,000 shares, over 3,408 Angry Face reactions and 2,125 Sad Faces. In the video you can see the three dogs resisting with all their might yet being forced into the shelter.

Having worked at BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions for the City of Houston for three years, I saw “videos” like this in person almost every day and yes, it tugged at my heart every time. However, this video reminded me of the first time I ever saw a dog resisting with all his might to be taken into the shelter. It happened my first week at BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions in Houston, Texas and I remember standing in the hallway trying with all my might not to cry…

That day in 2014, I got home with a knot in my throat and wrote the following poem as tears rolled down my face. I wrote what I imagined that yellow Labrador mix was thinking at the moment, and tried my best to put myself in his paws:

“Wait I don’t understand.

Why are you walking away from me?

Why am I not going with you?

I want to follow you.

I cant…

You are not looking back.

Come back!

Come back!

I’m shaking and confused.

I thought you loved me…

You laughed when we were together.

You told me everything.

We cuddled on rainy days,

and now you are walking away?

What did I do wrong?

I really don’t know.

Please don’t leave.

Don’t leave…

There is too much noise,

and I feel lost.

I felt free by your side.

I thought you did too…

I thought you felt happy when

you came home.

I thought you knew that

I loved the sound of your voice.

I thought you knew that I loved you.

Hope you come back.

Hope you realize how empty

life is without me.

I hope…you loved me.

I can’t see you now.

They say I will be fine,

And will find love again.

I hope they are right.

For I will always remember your touch,

your smell, your smile.

My best friend…

Come back…

But you don’t…

My life feels like it is over.

But deep down, I know my ability to love unconditionally

Will eventually lead to my freedom.

Wish I could say the same for you…”

— Poem Written By A Dog Abandoned At An Animal Shelter, 2014 by Alejandra Peimbert

This poem is in honor of the more than 25,000 dogs & cats BARC Animal Shelter & Adoption receives every year. Thousands of dogs will keep being abandoned if people do not spay & neuter their pets and are not responsible pet owners.

I beg you to please try your best to put yourself in their paws, and if you are unable to commit to taking care of a dog or cat for their entire life, then DO NOT get one or perhaps try to rehome them yourself before turning them into a shelter. Your pet will become your best friend and they do not deserve to be given-up on. #ForTheAnimals


By Alejandra Peimbert|Fri, Jun 28, 2019