ADOPT 09 CONTEST

it was a long time ago... My previous owner left me my cat sister Emerald alone one day. She said that she was going on something called a holiday? (or a vacation as its called in the US!). At first, we were glad to see her gone. No more cigarette burns, no more shouting, no more beatings... It was nice, at first. It was also a little scary, and we were getting so hungry. As the days passed we felt so weak from hungry and thirst. It became so bad that I forced my way into the bathroom and drank from the toilet. That is what kept me and Emerald alive.

The flea's made us itch. We both had an allergy to them; it caused my fur to fall out (of course, a different skin condition didn't help) . It became cracked and sore, but there was no relief. The burns on my body became infected because of the filth that we were living in. Two weeks passed like this and we were giving up hope.. After all, all we had ever received was abuse. It was what we knew, what we expected.

Then one day there was noise at the door. I started to woof weakly... But they couldn't get in. In the end, our rescuers broke the door down to save us. Me and Emerald put up a fight... What if they hurt us, like our last owner? We were too weak to make too much fuss though and they managed to get us and take me and Emerald to their van. The humans were both crying. Were we that bad? Me and Emmie were separated in the van. It was so scary. I didn't know what to expect; I had never been in a van before, and had never been away from Emerald. After a while we arrived at a place. There were lots of dogs barking, and cats meowing. This place wasn't nice. As I was taken out of the van a woman came to take me from the rescuer, and I willingly went with her. For some reason I could tell that she was going to help me.

They cleaned me up and gave me flea treatment. They also gave me things for my skin and spent the next month or two nursing Emerald and I back to health. It was a bad time for the rescue- There was a lot of disease around, and humans had to wash their shoes off in a cleaning solution, and wash their hands a lot. Funds were low, and they had trouble. They still cares for us as well as ever, and even took me to see Emerald (who had to be kept in the cat cages). Although we were separated at this place, the kind woman who I trusted promised me that when we were adopted we would be together again.

One day after we had been at the rescue for a month and a half, some people came with these big flashing things and took pictures of me and Emerald with our kind rescuers. My kind woman said that we were going to be in the newspaper. I wasn't sure what that meant, but it sounded good! Lots of people came to see us, but once they found out that we were going to have to stay at the rescue place for a while and would need money spent on us, and how much hard work we may be, they walked away. Again, I began to give up hope. Then one day, that all changed. One day, a man and woman came to visit Emerald and I. I knew that these people were the ones I wanted.

The people who worked at the rescue took these humans away from me, and asked them a lot of questions. They then told them everything they knew about me and Emerald... And they stayed! They didn't give up and walk away. They signed the adoption forms right there and then. My rescuers showed them some pictures of me after I had been there about a month; they wouldn't show my new parents the pictures from when I first arrived there. They said they were too graphic. My new parents spoke to the man who rescued me from the apartment though and he said that in all of his years (over 10) of doing that job, he had never seen a case as bad as mine and Emerald's. Just telling our story brought him to tears.

My new humans continued to visit us every few days for a month or so. They often brought a little girl with them and also brought a young boy a few times too. Me and the little girl became firm friends.

One day they came to see us again.. But something was different! Did they change their minds? But no.. The male had Emerald in a cat basket and the woman clipped a leash onto me. "Its time", they said. We were going home! I adored my family, my family adored me. The little girl and I were the best of friends- I was her heart dog I think.

What does adoption mean to me? Adoption to me means food, water, walks, care... But most of all, it means love. I only had 11 months in my new home, but it was enough. Enough for me to learn that some people DO care.

The little girl is now nearly 16 years old. 11 years have passed since I crossed over to the bridge, but she remembers me like it was yesterday... She will never forget me. She says I live on in her heart. In fact, I will let her talk now.

(yes, human talking now) If my grandparents wouldn't have adopted, I never would have met Leo. Some people live their whole life before finding the dog that leaves it's paw print deeper in your heart than any other. For me, it was the first dog I ever loved. Leo's story might make you think, why adopt if you are going to have your heart broken? But that is every reason to adopt... To be able to have a dog like Leo that has come from a terrible, terrible situation, and to be able to give it the happiness and love that it deserves is an amazing thing. I only knew Leo for less than a year, but I will never forget how much I loved him. It was so long ago now, yet talking about him still makes my heart ache, and tears come to my eyes. He had a big effect on my life... On the lives of anyone who met him.



Edited, to add: My grandma used to be afraid of dogs. Yet it was her who decided that they had to take Leo. "If we DO get a dog, it has to be this one", she said. From day one she was never afraid of Leo. He melted her fear of dogs.

Baby boy...

I'm still missing you. I had a dream about you last night Leo... I dreamt of you and your daddy... You were playing in a big field. You both looked so happy :).

I love you Leo... I hope you and my grandpa ARE happy. We miss you both so much.

Love,
Keri
xxxx

10 years...

Its been nearly 10 years now Leo. 10 years. Wow. I can still remember the first time we met. My grandma and Grandpa told me they were getting a cat and dog... Told me that you were called Leo. They took me to meet you... It was love at first sight, wasn't it? I felt so sorry for you- Your fur still hadn't grown back and you were so thin! We spent that hour cuddling. I didn't want to leave you when it was time to go, I wanted to stay with you forever and keep you safe. I think we were the best of friends from then onwards. You slept on my bed- Insisted on it, even when you couldn't climb up there anymore! your daddy had to build you your own stairs, didn't he!! And then there was your walks it the park... You wouldn't give them up eaither, would you! Your dady had to build more special stairs, so you could get into the car... then when we got to the park, you weren't happy unless I was the one holding the leash!! I remember my grandma telling me how excited you would get on a friday. You knew, didn't you, that that was the day your mummy and daddy came to pick me up from (nursury?) school, the day I stayed over at your house. When I was there there was never a moment when we were appart. You followed me from room to room, stayed by my side at all times...

I miss you Leo, I really do. My heart is still broken into pieces. Sometimes, I lie awake at night, with tears flowning down my face when I think about you and my grandpa. It comforts me slightly, knowing you two are both together... But I miss you both so much.

When you died I think part of me died with you. I will never forget you, and I will see you again one day, a long time from now!

I love you Leo xxxx

My sweet, sweet angel

Dear Leo,

Its been nine year boy. Nine long, hard years without you. Not a day goes by when i dont think about you, look at your pictures. I still miss you, still cry all the time. I cant help it. You were me first dog, my gentle sweetheart. It breaks my heart to think about what you went through before we got you. The state you were in was unbelievable.... I dont know how anyone could leave a handsome boy like you to starve.... I hope they rot in hell.

I still think that it was you who sent your sister Suzie to us. You could see how upset we were i guess..... And being the big softie that you were, you gave us Suzie. Thank you Leo. Shes wonderful. She reminds me of you, with her gentle eyes, her laid back, gentle nature. Theres someone else who makes us think about you as well.... Our little white tornado, Emmie!

Emmies started to be more friendly Leo. She finally lets me hug her, she comes onto my knee, doesnt run away from me. I bet your thinking that its about time!! Its taken her eight and a half years, but shes got there Leo!! She trusts me!!

I know im not your mummy. Thats my grandma. I was like your second mum. Grandma and I were talking about you and your daddy last night. About how he and you will have met at the bridge and crossed it together. Its nice to know that you two will be together, both healthy again.

Even as i type this theres tears running down my face. It hurts so much.... You and my grandpa were so special to me. The only other person thats as special to me is my grandma Leo, your mummy. I miss you both so much.

I love you xxxxx

I love her....

This poem is for Ms. Texas Belle ( My now-not-so-secret love)

I am in love,
with a dog i admire,
her face fills my heart,
with complete desire,

a fundawg she is,
furever and always,
leading the way,
throughout FunDawg days,

the girl that i love,
is sweet Texas Belle,
as i sleep at night,
i dream of her smell,

her eyes alone,
make this dog melt,
because a love like this,
i rarely have felt,

I love MTB,
i just cannot deny,
and keeping it secret from you,
would be like telling a lie.

~ By Leo, a furangel ~

Dog poems.

I liked these poems...Thought you might like them too-


The sunniest side of heaven
By Unknown

On the sunniest side of heaven
there's a meadow by a ridge
It is here I now run and play
In this place called rainbow bridge

Though I was suddenly taken away
To this place up in the sky
My heart is again full of joy
Please don't shed a tear or cry

For one day you will join me
And we shall re-unite again
To spend eternity together
Without suffering, hurt and pain

We'll cross the bridge together
And walk towards the light
Then i'll smother you with kisses
As we share an eternity of delight





A Puppy's Prayer
By Anon

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!





In Memory of a Special Pet
By Unknown

With tears of grief and heavy hearts
we said goodbye to you.
Animal friends as sweet as you
have been a precious few.

You stayed with us
and played with us
and gave us all your love.
Now we give the gift of peace to you
and thank our Lord above
for the years you joined our family
with your patient, gentle face.
we'll always keep you in our hearts
in a very special place.

All the memories you made with us
are surely here to stay,
for what love has already given us
death could never take away.





GOLDEN MEMORIES
By Anon

They say memories are golden,
well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I cried.,
If love alone could have saved you,
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
in death I love you still,
In my heart you hold a place,
no one else could fill.
If tears could build a stairway,
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to Heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us back one by one,
the chain will link again





A Little Dog Angel
By Author Unknown

High up in the courts of heaven today
a little dog angel waits;
with the other angels he will not play,
but he sits alone at the gates.
"For I know my master will come" says he,
"and when he comes he will call for me."

The other angels pass him by
As they hurry toward the throne,
And he watches them with a wistful eye
as he sits at the gates alone.
"But I know if I just wait patiently
that someday my master will call for me."

And his master, down on earth below,
as he sits in his easy chair,
forgets sometimes, and whispers low
to the dog who is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
and dreams that his master's voice he hears.

And when at last his master waits
outside in the dark and cold,
for the hand of death to open the door,
that leads to those courts of gold,
he will hear a sound through the gathering dark,
a little dog angel's bark.

My Tail of Devotion for Leo (in loving memory)

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

RIP LEO

My best friend Becky wrote this, and it is so sweet. I thought I would share it with you all -

This is for Keri, I know how much she loved leo and I wish I had the chance to meet him, she says he was such a loving and friendly dog. He was a Golden Retriever and I have seen pictures of him, he is sooooo beautiful. He looks like the kind of dog you could just sit and stroke for hours and he probably was. He sadly passed away 8 years ago and even though I never met him, I just want to say Rest In Peace Leo xxx. I know that whenever you were around you brought a smile to everyones faces, and no matter what, the ones that knew you will ALWAYS love you. Keri tells me she remembers you as if it was just yesterday she was with you. You are missed so much that words can't explain. We love you always, Keri's baby Leo. R.I.P, nobody will ever forget you x x x x x x x x x