Adopting dogs...

Yorkton SPCA

Lonely, piercing,

sad, brown eyes

peering longingly

behind cold iron bars,

sitting on bare cement.

Guilty of what crime?

Hoping for adoption,

a little friendship,

some love perhaps,

the right family,

a slight wag of the

tail as we approach,

more enthusiasm

hoping to lure

the young girl in

the bright yellow ski

jacket.

Meanwhile,

down the row of cages

her Dad stops briefly

just to quietly chat

with each pup behind

wire walls, gently patting

each inmate whispering

a few words, comforting.

“Listen little you, just don’t

whine so much, the pity

approach only works for the

puppies.

You aren’t, so get with the program.

be brave, sit proud, tall,

the right someone will come for you.”

At the next cage with 

three Husky-like puppies

he advises them to stick

together, strength in numbers,

canine solidarity, “Puppies do go first,

play the cute card.”

Finally, the saddest of all dogs

that cold Saskatchewan night,

the deep desperate eyes,

“Get over all that separation anxiety.

You will never endear yourself

by chewing on sofas to work

out rage issues.  Chill my friend.”

Their visit over,

their mission complete,

Daughter and Dad

made their way

to the frozen car.

 (Christmas visit to Yorkton 2003)