Lost and Found - A Boy's Best Friend
Below the lights that glistened, 'neath the dark, foreboding sky;
Out of the depths of darkened streets, she gave a mournful cry.
She focussed ... unfamiliar sounds, and struggled to define,
This place where sorrow filled the night, she shook with fright, and whined.
Her eyes, they darted frantically, to catch a loving eye,
But in amongst these crowded streets, she gave another cry.
No sights she could distinguish, through these long and lonely days,
She shrank amongst the trashcans, in the darkened alleyways.
She shivered as she raised a paw, to no one ... in despair;
This tired and lonely orphan, was a sight of disrepair.
Her fur was once a glistening coat, that hands had lightly brushed,
But now a matted rag she wore, no loving hands did touch.
Her eyes that twinkled with delight, as children called her name,
Were miles away, she heard them not ... as they called out in vain.
She sank into the shadows; timid, far too tired to run;
Her broken spirit, limping now, four days, she had been gone.
Away from all the faces she had come to know and love,
Replaced by careless grumblings, and ignored by those above.
Approaching strangers ... "Caution!" ... she began to give a growl;
And wary now, she watched them, as they cornered her somehow.
A loop was flung around her neck, she struggled to break free!
A feeble effort, she did try, then sank beneath their knees.
A darkness then surrounded her, as roughly she did rise;
And gratefully, she drifted off ... a heaving groan and sigh.
She woke to barking, heavy cage, of steel she was encased;
With neighbors who, abandoned there, yelped 'tward their coming fate.
She joined them in their frantic barks, each time their fury raged;
But unknown faces still remained, beyond her cold, stark cage.
She languished there, 'twas drifting fast, her days were numbered now;
And though she could not comprehend, she seemed to know somehow.
No longer did she hold out hope, or bark at strangers when,
They slowly walked beyond her cage while searching for a friend.
She felt it ... knew the end was near; lost hope was in her eyes;
But suddenly she heard a sound, and much to her surprise ...
A little boy, not more than five, walked slowly in this place;
His tiny hand held firmly by his father's warm embrace.
His eyes were filled with sorrow of a boy who'd lost all hope;
He started down the aisles of cage, like walking on tightrope.
She stood upon her trembling legs, and gave a muffled cry,
She uttered little yelps and whines ... but he just passed her by.
Dejected, there she rummaged up the strength that she once knew;
She could not let him pass her by ... he was "the one" she knew!
A bark, a yelp, much louder now, she tried to catch his ear;
Above the others, she did cry, a happy blissful cheer!
He hesitated, cocked his head as she let out a wail;
He looked up to his dad and turned ... she wagged her ragged tail.
It took him only moments to lock eyes upon her own,
As recognition slowly dawned, she beckoned him along.
A moment passed, he stood so still, and shock was in his eyes;
A wonder filled his boyish face as then he recognized
His poor bedraggled puppy he had passed without a thought,
Was hiding under matted fur, a sorry sight she was.
She wagged her tail more readily, as he began to run;
His sparkling eyes were twinkling now ... remembrance ... they had won!
He dropped to knees and reached within her cage with eager hands;
She wagged and wiggled as he pressed his face against the pen.
Her tongue reached out and slobbered then, a sloppy puppy kiss;
The little boy grinned with delight, his heart was filled with bliss.
His smiling face looked skyward, and he thanked the Lord above,
For helping him to find his friend, his wondrous puppy love.
And as they turned to leave this place, where she had spent her time;
She turned and looked up to the boy, and softly then, she sighed.