Second Chance: The Dog Poem

07 Jan Second Chance: The Dog Poem

My name is Frankie and I have the honor of writing the first Pet Column of 2015. (The downside of that is that only homeless pets get to write this column and I would much rather have a home.)

Frankie

The Pet Column format is broad. Each weekly author of the Pet Column approaches it from a different angle – some from an educational perspective and others from the inspirational. Personally I believe the Pet Column is designed to close the gap between the human and animal world and highlight why you need us as much as we need you.

This poem by Joe Levy does the job well:

MY BFF

Who knew when he showed up
in my driveway
twelve years ago?
Handsome, underfed, ribs showing.
He’d been on the streets
living on handouts.
Sweet, friendly, a playful gleam in his eye.
I didn’t want to give up my freedom
I didn’t want to start a new relationship.
Yet I let him stay.

“Needs to gain twenty pounds
before we can neuter him”
the vet said.
Exotic?  Perhaps…a Jindo mix
Jindos – the national dogs of Korea
unlawful to export them.
So he’s an illegal alien.

He shares my home, my heart, my bed.
Our green sheets set off
the richness of
his lush cinnamon and cream fur.
We use three sheets…one under the blanket…one over
easier to wash than blankets.
He cuddles, he sheds, he snores, he flatulates. I don’t care. He brightens my life, makes me laugh. I take care of him … whatever it takes.
He cuddles, he sheds, he snores, he flatulates.
I don’t care.
He brightens my life,
makes me laugh.
I take care of him … whatever it takes.

He is aging now and I fear losing him. His name: Sheridan Whiteside.
He answers to Sherry.
I taught him sit…down…stay.
He taught me patience…acceptance…uncomplicated love.

Frankie again.  I am a three-month-young Dachshund mix with cute floppy ears. Who knows what I will teach you and be to you…but I sure am willing to find out…as are all the other dogs and cats (like Judith the lovely and calm eight-month-young tortoiseshell kitty) at Second Chance.

Come take a chance on one of us…

Judith

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff & Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)