How Much For That Puppy In The Pet Store?
Look at me people, what do you see?
A filthy, old dog infested with fleas?
Hair matted, infections, ears itching with mites,
Teeth rotten so badly I can't even bite.
Not even a name, just a number assigned
Deplorable lifestyle to which I’m resigned.
Stripped of affection, decency and name,
Why, I ask, condemn me to shame?
Cold, and forgotten, I live in a cage,
Dark, without love, serving not but a wage.
Hopelessly, I watch as people walk by,
Will I ever feel loved, will I even survive?
Deep in my eyes you see nothing but fear,
Trembling with terror when people walk near,
But what would you do if mistreated this way?
Living in squalor, day after day.
My stomach, still empty, is painful, it grumbles.
Weak legs, from confinement, continue to stumble.
Devoid of healthy food, fed sawdust for fillers,
Lacking any decent care from those puppy millers.
My heart, how it breaks,
But my spirit remains.
In spite of this hell hole
Of unmitigated disdain.
My back, how it aches,
My legs, oh so weary.
If only a soft bed,
To rest my head teary,
Look at me people, can you still see
A flicker of life and love left in me?
Breeding stock prisoner under lock and key,
If only people cared enough to set me free.
Bred over and over yet with each new litter,
My heart still loves and fends off feeling bitter.
Even though my puppies are stolen away,
Off to the pet store to my great dismay.
You breed me again and again and again,
Until too sick or old to serve you and then,
You shoot me, or drown me or leave me to die,
Not a tear being shed, not even caring why.
What have I done to deserve this plight?
Of torture, abuse, too weary to fight
Time to open your eyes people, regain your sight
Of the puppy mill horrors, time to indict!
How much for that puppy in the pet store?
With soft fur and floppy ol' ears,
Look closely, it cost much more than paid for,
Its’ parents blood, sweat, fear and tears.
2010 - Christine Shannon
Look at me people, what do you see?
A filthy, old dog infested with fleas?
Hair matted, infections, ears itching with mites,
Teeth rotten so badly I can't even bite.
Not even a name, just a number assigned
Deplorable lifestyle to which I’m resigned.
Stripped of affection, decency and name,
Why, I ask, condemn me to shame?
Cold, and forgotten, I live in a cage,
Dark, without love, serving not but a wage.
Hopelessly, I watch as people walk by,
Will I ever feel loved, will I even survive?
Deep in my eyes you see nothing but fear,
Trembling with terror when people walk near,
But what would you do if mistreated this way?
Living in squalor, day after day.
My stomach, still empty, is painful, it grumbles.
Weak legs, from confinement, continue to stumble.
Devoid of healthy food, fed sawdust for fillers,
Lacking any decent care from those puppy millers.
My heart, how it breaks,
But my spirit remains.
In spite of this hell hole
Of unmitigated disdain.
My back, how it aches,
My legs, oh so weary.
If only a soft bed,
To rest my head teary,
Look at me people, can you still see
A flicker of life and love left in me?
Breeding stock prisoner under lock and key,
If only people cared enough to set me free.
Bred over and over yet with each new litter,
My heart still loves and fends off feeling bitter.
Even though my puppies are stolen away,
Off to the pet store to my great dismay.
You breed me again and again and again,
Until too sick or old to serve you and then,
You shoot me, or drown me or leave me to die,
Not a tear being shed, not even caring why.
What have I done to deserve this plight?
Of torture, abuse, too weary to fight
Time to open your eyes people, regain your sight
Of the puppy mill horrors, time to indict!
How much for that puppy in the pet store?
With soft fur and floppy ol' ears,
Look closely, it cost much more than paid for,
Its’ parents blood, sweat, fear and tears.
2010 - Christine Shannon
Copyright © 2012, National Mill Dog Rescue
7775 dogs saved and counting
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