Do I Go Home Today? By Sandi Thompson ~

My family brought me home 
cradled in their arms. 
They cuddled me and smiled at me, 
and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me, 
they showered me with toys. 
I sure do love my family 
especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, 
they gave me special treats. 
They even let me sleep with them 
all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks, 
often several times a day. 
They even fought to hold my leash, 
I'm very proud to say.

These are things I'll never forget 
a cherished memory. 
I now live in a shelter 
without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me 
when I played with that old shoe. 
But I didn't know the difference 
between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag 
for hours we would tug. 
So I thought I did the right thing 
when I chewed the bathroom rug.

They said that I was out of control, 
and would have to live outside. 
This I did not understand 
although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; 
they said they hadn't time. 
I wish that I could change things, 
I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely, 
in the back yard on a chain. 
I barked and barked all day long 
to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter 
but were embarrassed to say why. 
They said I caused an allergy, 
and then, kissed me goodbye.

If I'd only had some classes, 
as a little pup 
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle 
when I was all grown up. 
"You only have one day left," 
I heard the worker say. 
Does this mean a second chance? 
Do I go home today?