This makes me think of my Patience
My Name Is Dog
Copyright 2002 Lynn MacKay
I was that cute little puppy in the store window.
You took me home, and gave me the run of the house. The children adored me.
But I had accidents on the floor.
So I was banished to the garage.
I tore up your boxes of Christmas ornaments.
So you chained me outside.
Sure the kids played with me.
But their visits became less and less frequent.
Many times they forgot to feed me.
I strained at my chain.
Hoping to catch your eye.
But I went unnoticed.
Sometimes the chain would break.
And you would find me on your deck.
Pleading for food to fill my belly.
And a warm blanket upon which to lie.
But you would return me to my wooden box.
Cold and hungry.
One day, you asked me to go for a ride.
I was so excited.
You had noticed me at last.
We drove for a while.
And when you got out you had my favorite ball.
You threw it far.
It took me some time to find it.
I came back triumphant in my search.
But I couldn't find you.
I searched for hours.
I decided you had probably forgotten me and would return.
I was cold and hungry.
I waited for you where the car was parked.
Time passed, so I decided to look for you.
Maybe you hadn't noticed I was missing.
I followed the road and found a city.
But I did not recognize it.
People yelled at me, and chased me away.
A man called me over, and put me in his truck. There were other dogs there. I did not know where we were going.
Finally we stopped and I was let out.
But it was not my home.
Children came running over, and I looked at the man who smiled at me. "Children" he said, "you must feed and look after this foundling as he has traveled far, and is weak and thin". "You must love and care for him as he has suffered greatly".
That night as I lay curled upon the children's bed. I knew I was truly home at last.
