VALGRAYS BORDER COLLIE RESCUE
Border Collies Needing New 'Forever Homes' reg charity 1088503
Please bookmark our new website address - many thanks
http://www.valgraysbcrescue.org.uk
Bye Baby
No more lonely cold nights or hearing that I'm bad
No more growling belly from the meals I never had
No more scorching sunshine with a water bowl thats dry
No more complaining neighbours about the noise when I cry
No more hearing 'shut up', 'get down' 'get out of here'
No more feeling disliked only peace is in the air
Euthanasia is a blessing, though some still can't see
Why I was ever born, if I weren't meant to be
My last day of living was the best I ever had
Someone held me very close, I could see she was so sad
I kissed the lady's face and she hugged me as she cried
I wagged my tail to thank her, then I closed my eyes and..... died.
The Meaning of Rescue
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, all nicely tucked up in my warm new bed, I'd like to open my baggage, least I forget,
There is so much to carry and so much to forget.
Hmm..... there it is, right on the top, Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss and there by my leash hides Fear and Shame,
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave, I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, but I wasn't good enough for they didn't want me,
Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things and send me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage to never repack?
I pray that you do, I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage,
Will you still want me?
Rescue Me .. (author unknown) - Crossposted and printed by permission....... WHY WAS I BORN A STAFFIE......
Today is just another day - to me they're all the same I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the "Staffy" shame.
The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home. Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels all alone.
My mum was "just a Staffy", my father - well who knows? Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.
And then begins the process, of money-making deals A life of "moving on" unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?
If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.
You brought me for your image, thought I'd make you look more tough But you'll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.
If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.
I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.
And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime The retail on an adult staff - not worth the waste of time.
So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know? Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?
Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffy now?" The "Staffy" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.
Me, I was put into a car and driven far away The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.
It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.
I wondered round for many days before I was brought here. Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.
Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.
This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup.
As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh I'm sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.
No Charge for Love ...
NO CHARGE FOR LOVE
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups.
And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck,
"These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer, and with that he let out a whistle. Here, Dolly!" he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence,the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its
best to catch up ... "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy.
He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would".
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands".
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
"How much?" asked the little boy.
"No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for such love."
--- Author Unknown ---
Nice story ... you might need a tissue though ..
'Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car!' my father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?'
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.'
My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him? Dad had been a lumberjack in
Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it. The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons, too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me about him?' The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. 'He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him, that was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.' He gestured helplessly. As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror.
'You mean you're going to kill him?' 'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.' I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. 'I'll take him,' I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.
'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly. Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it' Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house. Anger rose inside me.. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. 'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!' Dad ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw.
Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer
As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind. The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live While You Are Alive. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
I Rescued a Human Today ...
I rescued a human today
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.
I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get so busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past.
I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more out there who haven’t walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today
( Author unknown )
Puppy Farming ..
Where Did your Puppy Come From?
by Fionna Duncan (reprinted with permission)
(written after a breeding bitch was passed to rescue when she became ill after having 'another' litter)
A little spaniel died today
In the arms of someone kind
She tried to live, she died in peace
No forever home to find
A production factory in a little soul
Her life was just for breeding
A home life was never there for her
Her job was birth and feeding
But it all went wrong, as these things can
And her health was doomed to fail
Someone had to watch her die
As she feebly wagged her tail
But at least the public got the goods
got the lovely pups she bore
They never saw the end result
Of a little dog, sad and sore
To the people who bought the little pups
And played the breeder's game
Its you who gained from her suffering
It was all done in your name
Do I Go Home Today????
The Stray's Prayer ...
Stray's Prayer : Author Unknown
Dear God,
Please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching; it's so racked with pain,
and dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home,
a warm cosy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard,
Sometimes with no water, and God that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and God I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray,
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold,
and I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones,
while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can,
or I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas,
and all that I want is an Owner to please!
If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good,
and I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey....
when they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own,
because I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
because I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die.
And I've got so much love and devotion to give,
that I should be given a new chance to live!
So dear God, please answer my prayer,
and send me someone who will REALLY care...
That is, Dear God, if YOU'RE REALLY there!
It was Christmas after all .... (nice Christmas story)
Did you hear that?" the old dog
shouted. They all ran to the front of their kennel doors to
see if someone was coming to "pick them." "Sorry," he said to
the other dogs as his ears fell down from their perked position.
"I could have sworn I heard voices saying, 'Isn't he cute? It's
Christmas, can't we take him home with us?'" "You must have
been dreaming again old man," said the dog in the cage next
to him. "Anyway, what's the big deal about getting picked up
as a Christmas gift. We've all been through that routine and
look where it got us." The word "home" meant little to these
shelter dogs. "Just once, I'd like to feel the warmth of a hand
stroking my head," said the old dog. "I'd like to be the one
who kisses the tears off a sad face. I'd like to curl up next
to a fire instead of this cold concrete. It hurts my bones."
He curled up and sighed as the others said, "The only place
you're going to find that is in your dreams old man."
Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was as fresh
as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and
longed for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever
be able to give to him again. What would his life become without
her by his side? Hank's cupboards were close to bare now and,
although he didn't want to go out, he knew he should at least
pick up the basics. He drove slowly down the side streets for
freeway driving had become too challenging. Suddenly, the car
started chugging and sputtering until finally the engine quit
altogether. One of the basic needs he forgot was fuel for the
car! So he coasted over next to the curb, spotting a building
within walking distance. Hopefully, they'd let him use their
phone. He walked into an office area and rang the bell for service
but no one came. He spotted another door going outside, failing
to notice the sign posted "Employees Only".
As Hank walked out, he was overwhelmed by yaps, barks and insane
jumping from dogs all sizes and shapes. He then realized he
had unintentionally gone to the dog shelter. Slowly he walked
down the concrete aisle looking for an attendant. should the
old dog get excited? No one would want him. But, he sensed a
need and couldn't resist offering a kind look and a gentle wag
of the tail.
As Hank neared the old dog's cage, he laced his fingers through
the chain link to steady his gait and the first feeling of comfort
he'd remembered in over a year came from a wet nose and lick
across his arthritic fingers. Just then a voice of authority
sounded, and Hank jumped. "I'm sorry sir, you aren't supposed
to be in this area!" she said. Luckily Hank didn't know he had
walked into the "final area" where unclaimed dogs were scheduled
to be put down. There went the nudge and lick thing again. Hank
looked down to the most pleading eyes he'd ever seen.
Ignoring the attendants order to leave, Hank asked if could
he see the dog closer? Her demeanor changed completely and her
sternness melted away. She had forced herself to be this way
so she could do the part of her job she despised. She brought
the old dog out and instantly the two souls -- once so lost
-- found reason to hope. Hank's cupboards were now filled, a
warm fire crackled and the old dog smiled inside as he remembered
"only in your dreams." Closing his eyes he felt Hank's hand
stroking his head whispering "sleep in heavenly peace".
It was Christmas after all.
Author unknown
"JUST A DOG"
From time to time people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog", or "that's a lot of money for just a dog". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog", but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my sadddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you too think it's "just a dog", then you won't understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise". "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human". So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they "just don't understand!" - author unknown
A POEM FROM A POUND DOG...
Today is the day that I shall die
My life was short and I don’t know why
I don’t yet know that this will be my fate
The humans just stood there at my gate
And in their eyes I saw their sorrow
They told me I had no more time to borrow
My seven days have been and gone
And I’m yet to know what I’ve done wrong
I greeted the humans with a waggling tail
But with this their resolve seemed to fail
I did not understand why they cried
They told me again and again they had tried
But rescues are full and I’m on death row
And this meant that I had nowhere to go
Except for that room and the end of the block
It was only then that I took stock
I’ve seen others go in and never come out
And it was at this point that I had no doubt
Today was the day that I would die
And yet still I did not understand why
As they led me kindly into that room
I knew my life would be over soon
And again the humans tears began to flow
Another life to be lost on dog death row
I know I’m not the only one
One dog an hours dies as I have done
The needle comes out and the drug takes effect
The human holds me kindly and with respect
This is the end and I’m going to die
And then suddenly I understood why
I was bred without care, without thought or reason
Only because my mum came into season
I was bred to be sold, bred for the money
At first my new family thought my antics were funny
But as the days past by and the bigger I grew
Left home alone all day I began to chew
Soon they said this is not the place for me
So up went my ad onto Gumtree Family dog free to good home
Five months old, no fault of her own
This next place was even less fun
Kept in a cage with no hope of a run
Soon came the day of my first season
And now I was the one bred without reason
My pups were soon sold and I was alone
I really hope they all found a loving home
Shut up in a cage, alone and in the dark
For hours on end I would just bark
Once again I became too much trouble
So up went my ad on the double
Work commitments forces reluctant sale
Only ten months old, it’s a familiar tale
The next people seemed nice at first
But it was not too long before the bubble burst
In this place I was to be trained to fight
But they gave up on that as I refused to bite
They spoke me as I was taken back to my crate
‘If you won’t fight we’ll use you as bait’
I was chained to a post by my collar
When the other dogs attacked I would holler
This life went on like this for quite a time
But I was soon told I was past my prime
I thought we might have been going for a walk
Yet in the car there was no talk
And slowly as the car came to a halt
I was thrown out of the door with a jolt
I stood and watched as the car sped away
It was cold and dark and I had nowhere to stay
It was by this road that I was eventually found
And I was taken away to the local dog pound
And here I lie as I take my last breath
I have one thing to ask as accept my death
You can help save others from my fate
Spay or neuter your dog before it’s too late!
