I was taken from this horrible place
All dark and cold and covered in waste
Separated from my sisters and brothers
Now in a cold prison with so many others

Pushed on the floor in a steel cage
Nothing for warmth, will I be here an age
They pushed in some scaps and a few drops of water
And wrote my name down on the next list for slaughter

Light coming in I awaken to cries
This man bangs the bars to silence, he tries
The barn door it opens, the child runs in
I'm not sure about this, he's not one of my kin

They clapped and shouted as they opened the door
Kneeling and begging, to me, trying to lure
Carrying me out now, with joyful cries
I cowered and whimpered at the bright burning skies

I buried my head at the sound of the cars
But this seemed different than a life behind bars
They put me down on this strange green floor
Slowly leading, calling me towards the door

Creeping I entered the strange soft room
Then decided, I'd explore it with a jump and a zoom
These soft squares of feathers, tearing for fun
I'll collapse by this window to take in the sun.

I got a new bed now, a coat and some toys
I've now found my voice, to make plenty noise.
To play with Ben, he's now my brother,
That strange furry thing hisses like no other

The days and the years have bled into one
I've mellowed and slowed as my hearing has gone.
I take my time now and sleep on the chair
Limp out some times to take in the air

Ben has grown stronger, bigger and wide
But I will try to stay strong to walk by his side
He's gentle and kind, hand strokes my hair
And now I can't make it, carries me up the steep stair

My hair has gone grey, my teeth not so sharp
My voice is a croak not quite a bark
I think the time has come to curl up and sleep
Woodland walks and meadows of which I dream deep

I look from above, from the rainbow plain
And thank them, I slept and suffered no pain
I'm grateful they came to look and see
And hope they'll adopt another me

For Louie, the jack russell

MDH 2024