One by one they pass by my cage
Too old, too warn, too broken, no way
Way past his time, he can't run and play
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore
It seems I am not wanted any more
I once had a home, I once had a bed
A place that was warm, and where I was fed
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail
Who wants a dog so old and so frail
My family decided I didn't belong
I got in their way, my attitude wrong

Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day
The younger dogs get adopted away

When I had almost come to the end of my rope
You saw my face, and I finally had hope
You saw through the grey, and the legs bent with age
And I felt I still had life beyond this cage
You took me home, gave me food and a bed
And I shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low
You love me so dearly, you want me to know
I may have lived most of my life with another
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger

And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live

I may be with you for a week, or for years
We will share many miles, you will no doubt shed tears
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And I brag to all who will hear
Of the person who loved me and made my last days so dear

--------------


I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for ten years
And no longer wanted around

I adopted your dog today
Do you know he's lost weight
Do you know he's scared and depressed
And has lost all faith

I adopted your dog today
He had fleas and a cold
But don't worry none
You've unburdened your load

I adopted your dog today
Were you having a baby or moving away
Did you suddenly develop allergies
Or was there no reason why he couldn't stay

I adopted your dog today
He doesn't play or eat much
He's very depressed
But he will learn again to trust

I adopted your dog today
And here he will stay
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed to lay

I adopted your dog today
And I will give him all that he could need
Patience, love, security and understanding
And in time he will forget your selfish deed.

-----------


I cannot see you mummy when you cuddle me so near
And yet I know you love me it's in the words I hear

I cannot see you daddy when you hold me by your side
But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride

I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright
For here inside my tiny head it always dark as night

I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good
But I can wag my tail in thanks just like a good dog should

"It cannot see! The dog's no good!" is what some folks might say
"It can't be trained, it'll never learn, it must be put away"

But not you mummy and daddy you know that it's alright
Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight

You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part
Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart

I See You

Today from the bridge I looked down on you,
I saw your heart breaking so earthward I flew.
I caught every tear that fell from your eyes,
And placed them in clouds, in the dark greying skies,
So when the clouds break and the rain starts to fall,
They will water our garden where we played with a ball.

Today from the bridge, I heard you cry out,
"Why did you go?" I heard you shout.
I tried to answer by touching your heart,
Did you feel me my friend? We are not far apart.
I want you to know, when your heart skips a beat,
It means I am here, I am right at your feet.

Today from the bridge, I felt all your pain,
Longing and yearing to be with me again.
But please don't you hurry; you have so much to do,
There are many more creatures that need love from you.
So please share your heart, there are so many more,
Leave your heart open - please don't close the door.

Today at the bridge, I sat and wept,
I saw you lay down, I watched as you slept.
The tears that I cried were not ones of sorrow,
For I knew in my heart I would see you tomorrow.
I see all the Angels soothing your pain,
They will bring you back safely to me once again
Your time has now come, to be back at my side,
You are coming to the bridge - tears of joy will be cried.

Steve Bateman (2007)