DOG'S BEST FRIEND
- By Jeane Illsche (21 June 1998)

I wasn't a pup when I came to your home,
I'd been dumped on the road, left to roam.
Don't remember the people except the pain.
They left me to die in the cold and the rain.
You were driving down the hwy, it was late at night
When you saw the faintest glimmer of light.
You took a chance and turned around
Got out of the van and knelt to the ground.
My quivering body felt the gentlest of hands.
I knew I need not make any demands.
If your heart, and your home, there was always room
For those who would face certain doom.
You healed my body and you healed my heart.
You gave me what I needed, a fresh start.
When I cried at night, you were always there
With soft words, a kiss, a hug to share.
When I misbehaved and would cower with guilt
You only showed love.....up to the hilt.
You loved and cared for me in sickness and health
Our love for each other was more precious than wealth.
Even when you were tired and had a bad day
You'd always come home to me and say,
"I missed you my baby. I'm glad to be back."
Then you'd give me kiss, a hug and a pat.
We'd have a nice dinner then go out to play
There was so much love I wanted to stay.
But my eyes, they faded and my heart grew weak
As my time grew closer you could not speak.
You held me tight, tears flowed from your eyes
We both had to say our sad goodbyes.
The release from pain we knew must end
No more time on this Earth would we spend
Running in the fields, playing ball
Sitting quietly together at the end of it all.
But our time together is not through
Because I'll be there waiting for you.
At the edge of the Rainbow Bridge I'll stand
Until I once again see those gentle hands.
I'll run to you with tail held high
We will never again have to say goodbye.
My love at death, it does not end
Because you are, indeed, dogs best friend.

HELP MY FREINDS
- by Keri- lynn Queen

I plead with you from Heaven's gate
help my friends before it's too late
for you see I lived for four short weeks
and most of my life you see was very bleak
for somehow my mother was lost to me
and into an abusive petshop I went you see
in a small kennel in the hot sun
no food no water no fun
there in horrid condition I was found
and to some loving hearts for life bound
my loving parents tried their best
yet still they had to lay me to rest
porcupine quills they removed from my face
and to save my life to two vets we did race
for in the span of six short days
they tried in so many way
all kinds of medication
lots of love and dedication
yet all to no avail
but still at times I wagged my tail
I am sadly missed
but please don't let my memory vanish
I plead with you to do all that you can
speak for the animals and be their friend

            In loving memory of Brandy who was just three weeks old when we found her in an outdoor kennel in the hot Texas sun, with no food, no water and with ten kittens. There was nothing but a few sheets of newspaper to keep the feces of the pups above her from falling on her. When the man working at the pet store was asked what he was feeding her he replied, "I tried to give it some water and milk yesterday but it growled when I took it away," mind you it was 4pm the day after he attempted to feed her something that she should never have been given in the first place. Brandy will forever live in our hearts and I hope to find her happy and healthy when I join her to cross the Rainbow Bridge.