Though this poem was written with a dog in mind, I believe it speaks to the care we owe all living beings. In this season of thanks-giving, I am thankful for all the four-footeds who bring me so much joy “here in this house” of mine.
Wishing you and yours peace and blessings this Thanksgiving.
Here in this house…
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs ‘out there’.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will not have to suffer hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I’ll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow stressed from the heat.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.Here in this house…
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don’t understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!Here in this house…
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will not be used to improve peoples’ images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone’s idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone’s anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.Here in this house…
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch…
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life will be treasured rather than treated as an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can be as kind and as fair as dogs.Here in this house…
I will be loved.
I will belong.
I will be home.author unknown (– though a safe bet he or she is someone who does rescue work.)
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