Charlie2 Poem by Deborah Cromer

My name is Charlie and I am a super dog without a family
I am on my own and lonely, this is not a good way to be
I don't know what happened, but it's all different now
My life changed, I want it back but I don't know how
I lived with a man and a woman for 2 whole years
I was happy and loved by both, erasing all my fears
There was fighting going on, but I never took sides
We lived in the house through the up and down rides
She was my true love and I slept on the floor at her feet
By her side always was my most special and given treat
I love cookies, goodies and especially little, given bites
My life soared the heavens with love reaching new heights
He was a drunk and she was mentally and spiritually abused
I loved them both, but he was mean and I stayed confused
He was rough with me and hit me in the head, claiming it was play
That's not playing, it's not play, I would hear her always say
He said it was "training" and did it until his arm would bleed
I still respected him, even through drinking, anger and greed
My teeth would hurt his arm and drunk he didn't care
He just roughed me up and yelled at her, he just wasn't there
She would cry alot and I would always be by her side
She saved my life from rescue and without her I might have died
I was stinky and smelled bad, she still loved me like a rose
I felt so special finally, I was happy from head to toes
My fur was falling out and fleas had their feast of me
She bathed me and cared for me until I was as furry as can be
I am a good, strong boy with a passion to protect and guard
I bark scary and show my teeth, growling low and hard
The world is afraid of me, as I look like a big, dark beast
They act as if on their souls I am willing to take feast
Actually I am just as afraid of them as they are of me
Respect and understanding of my issues are the turning key
My lady owner treats me as if I were her true fur-baby boy
I love her and would never hurt her, she is real and not a toy
She tells me "Mama loves you" and she looks into my eyes
Treating me with honor and trust, never telling me any lies
We lived in a house where I did not chew or destroy
I am a good one, I am such a good boy
We used to watch TV and we sat by the fire keeping warm
By her side we weathered every most difficult storm
Where I used to live for 2 years, there were bunnies galore
They lived on the property and multiplied more by more
I loved it there with goats, a garden, chickens and land
My name is Charlie Lee Jones and my life used to be so grand
They are not together anymore, and I have no place to live
For a home and someone to care for me, I have my life to give
Now I see her as she goes in and out of this different house
No more goats, no more chickens, bunnies or spouse
I bark and bark, cry and plead to get her attention to come to me
Unleash me, pet me, play with me, let my again run free
She only comes out once in awhile to be with me in my shed
A wooden room with walls and shelves, a roof over my head
I have fresh water and eat 2 meals a day, a treat or cookie too
I don't know what happened, why things changed, what did I do
I don't see him anymore, he doesn't even come to say hi
My life changed so quickly and fast, I don't even know why
I was the happiest dog in the world and never saw it ending
That I'd be tied up and secluded, time alone I'd be spending
I plead with her to make it better, to help me, that I am sorry a lot
She can't hear, or just doesn't listen because I beg everyday I got
So lonely, so afraid and now I'm getting a little mad
What did I do I wonder, what did I do to make my world so bad
She comes to me before work and after work, but I can't go inside
I am outside just watching and waiting, counting tears I've cried
I sit out in the dark, I wait out in the cold, I'm wet from the rain
Punishing myself for what I may have done, I hate this pain
She tells me she's working on a home for me, working on a plan
Gonna get me the right person or family, doing all that she can
I am worth anything anybody can give, time and help to spare
She is helping to find me a home where the right person will care
I will be that person's best dog, if they will just give me a chance
I can smile and play, run, jump and if you ask me I can even dance
Cats and me just don't seem to get along, I like to be number one
I need to belong to a person who loves me and we will have fun
My owner now talks to me like I was a real person with feelings
She takes care of me super throughout all my dealings
I am just a mass of black with a white fur cross on my chest
When clear and strongly spoken to I have always done my best
I am waiting, waiting for someone to come along and take me
Love me, care for me, trust me, befriend me and set me free
You will have to understand that I am very special, I am almost five
Keeping me out of shelters and animal control, she keeps me alive
I went for an evaluation and I passed, now I am hoping for more
Waiting for my new life with years together with someone in store
Take me with you, take me home, let me come inside and be near
I look like a werewolf when I show my teeth, please have no fear
I am a scared boy waiting, who needs a human friend
Living outside, alone and lonely is hard and I need it to end
No dogs allowed here and I've been here a month of long waiting
My brown eyes plead to end this shed I've been hating
I want to have a bath, I need to sleep in a warm place again
Begging, praying, hoping for a home, when, when, when
I will need time and I will come around, patience is needed
I know the ropes, but I bite and caution needs to be heeded
I never bit him, I never bit her, they were my people I trusted
Trespassers, strangers, unwelcome visitors will be busted
A good person who needs me I am waiting to meet already
Standing tall and ready, proud I am, strong and steady
She tells me I am beautiful, she kisses me on my face
Drowning me in affection and pride sets my pace
I don't lick and I don't give kisses, maybe one, rarely
But I let her kiss and kiss me, it bothers me barely
I am loved, she says she loves me, so why am I banished
Side by side, best buds, the good life has all just vanished
Stuck outside and I feel lost and forgotten, wet and cold
I could go inside the shed, but I stand my ground outside so bold
Through weather and time I will sit and wait with my head high
Knowing that I must believe and trust, knowing I am too old to cry
There is reason for everything this I know and won't be sad
I am a good dog and I miss the great times that I once had
In memory as I look forward for a new day to come quick
It's colder and colder now and my fur is growing thick
My time is running out and I cannot stay here in this shed
I do not want to go to a shelter, I do not want to end up dead
I get confused and scared and I come across as wild
Inside my heart is huge, I love to be loved, I am like a child
I have reputation, I am tagged and treated in such a way
For this injection, to end my life, there is no delay
Today is my last day, Mama tried all that she could
Reaching out to all, for any help that they could
All of her money, up front and cashed in fast
To help me find a new place, and forget this past
I will be brave for love, I will do all that I can
I am a fine soul of a dog, a little bear of a man
Good-bye to the day, so long to this song
No home for me now, Mama must of been wrong
Ending my heartbeat, so goes that long, flat line
Still till the end, my belief was all would be fine
She told me I was good, told me I LOVE YOU every time
Over the bridge to be with others, I will end in rhyme