Help Me

Artist: amarica
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Help Me

I was once a tiny baby,
a cuddly furry bundle of joy.
They took me from my mother
and gave me to a little boy.

I cried a lot for my mother
and missed my whole family.
But the boy was so glad to
take the time to hold and hug me.

I finally grew to love them
the people who were my new family.
Though I often dreamed of mama
and wondered if she thought of me.

Time passed and I grew up
and the boy stopped playing with me.
Oh, I think he still loved me,
but now he was a teen.

I now lived in a doghouse in the back
because no one had time for me.
Where once I curled up at the foot of his bed
now his skateboard replaced me.

I’d find a dish of food by my door
but the boy I now saw rarely.
And I could watch from within my fence
they had put up to separate them from me.

They built a pool and I would watch them play
and I’d bark to tell them to play with me.
That only seemed to make it worse
because my barking made them angry.

Then the boat arrived and I was left alone
every weekend when they all went boating.
I slept a lot and dreamed of mama
and wondered if she ever thought of me.

One day they came with a stranger
who put a chain on me.
They turned their backs and did not watch
as the big man dragged me away.

So here I am behind these bars
not knowing what will become of me.
I don’t know what I did to be put in jail
but I keep hoping someone will come and help me.

________

I have seen it happen far too often, people see a cute little puppy or kitten, baby iguana or other little cutie-pie that catches their eye and their fancy for the moment. Without considering the future needs and responsibilities of caring for these adorable little beings, the person “purchases” the “merchandise” and then proceeds to step two of the “owning” process.

The little toy is fun for awhile until life and stuff gets in the way, then the little one grows up and requires more room, food, care, medical treatment and attention, so as with any other “toy” it now becomes a discard.

The person then proceeds to ask friends if they will take it off their hands. When that fails they take it out and dump it or call the pound and unload it. They think no more about it because it was only just another thing to them. They never considered it has feelings and loves and hurts and often dies of loneliness once having been abandoned by the only person they ever loved.

Once the reject is in the pound, it only has a certain amount of time to be adopted before it has to be “disposed” of to make room for more rejects.

Then there are the ones the owners keep and selectively proceed to abuse in so many unimaginable ways that a normal mind cannot even fathom. Sometimes these poor things are “rescued” and taken to the “humane” society where they have a short time to be adopted. It breaks my heart.

There are some people who truly do provide rescue and real adoption and long-term rehabilition for these poor babies and these are real heros.

I recommend visiting these other RB’rs who care about animals and they donate their sales to the cause:

Images Do Not Belong To The Public Domain.
All images and writings are the copyright of the artist – © amari, amarica. All Rights Reserved.
Copying, altering, displaying, distributing and/or selling any image without prior written consent from the artist is strictly prohibited and subject to any and all legal remedies.

Help Me belongs to the following groups:

All Things Poetic, Prose, Philosophical., Don't Fence Me In, Everyday Life, Safe Haven and The Eyes Have It

amarica, 3 months ago
amarica, 3 months ago
amarica, 3 months ago
cherylc1, 3 months ago

a wonderful powerful image and words
Joanne Bradley, 3 months ago

This doggy looks so sad! Great capture of expression. Lovely poem.
Leslie Patton, 3 months ago

Touching.
mieclarke, 3 months ago

Great expression amari!
amarica in reply to cherylc1’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Cheryl. I wish people were more caring and thoughtful
amarica in reply to Joanne Bradley’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Joanne. They are never happy behind bars
Joanne Bradley, 3 months ago

I am really non-observant today. I missed the bars! No wonder he looks so sad!!!! Was this at a shelter or is this how some people treat their dogs?
Angela Harburn, 3 months ago

Many tears reading this and looking at the image Ann – beautifully written but so very sad. I don’t understand how some people can only love their animal companions for a short time – they are so very precious and deserve so much more. Great work my friend! xxx
amarica in reply to Leslie Patton’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Leslie
amarica in reply to mieclarke’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Mie
amarica in reply to Joanne Bradley’s comment, 3 months ago

Yes and yes
amarica in reply to Angela Harburn’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Angela. There are many peopl out there with black hearts. These people are self centered, self serving and think the world revolves around them and what they want. We have to pray for them and pray for the animals that come into their lives.
Sande Elkins, 3 months ago

So touching. Both of my dogs are rescues and all future dogs will be but I hate to go to the shelter because I know that many of those dogs will soon be put to sleep and it breaks my heart and I wish I could take them all home with me. The words and photo are both so beautiful, so powerful and so moving!
DonnaM, 3 months ago

nice work amari…its just a shame, isn’t it ? :(
ours have always been part of our family…till death do you part!
brirose55, 3 months ago

brilliant
TeriLee, 3 months ago

Very heart-felt piece….image and words…so wonderful!
Lori Peters, 3 months ago

I have seen this happen in my own neighborhood. It is truly a tragedy. We have rescued 3 cats and a dog. Our tuxedo cat, Schatzi, died 4 years ago today. I woke up and cried for him because I still miss my little friend so much.
mags, 3 months ago

wow this is brilliant work!
whisperingruth, 3 months ago

Lovely artistry Ann and your message is beautiful and hopefully will be heard by many….....xxoo
ZuzanaD, 3 months ago

this is really sad, a very thought provoking image, well done
LaurenTaylor ..., 3 months ago

Powerful photo, nice work!
Marvin Collins, 3 months ago

Excellent work
Carlos Teófilo, 3 months ago

Great capture dear Amari.
BarryNorton1, 3 months ago

I realy can not add much to what has been said already, sad and true too many times, people should be more aware of the needs of their pets and the responsibilities that comes with them.
amarica in reply to Sande Elkins’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Sande. It has always broken my heart about how people treat animals.
amarica in reply to DonnaM’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Donna. We are the same with ours too.
amarica in reply to brirose55’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Brian
amarica in reply to TeriLee’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Teri
amarica in reply to Lori Peters’s comment, 3 months ago

This is such a sad world for most of it’s inhabitants. It is only by love and overcoming and sharing with one another that we can find the strenght to endure. I love to hear of people like you who are resuers Lori.
amarica in reply to Lori Peters’s comment, 3 months ago

This is such a sad world for most of it’s inhabitants. It is only by love and overcoming and sharing with one another that we can find the strenght to endure. I love to hear of people like you who are resuers Lori.
amarica in reply to mags’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Mags
amarica in reply to whisperingruth’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Ruth. I hope so
amarica in reply to ZuzanaD’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Zuzana
amarica in reply to LaurenTaylor Photography’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Lauren
jacqi, 3 months ago

Aw amarica, so sad. I’m not really a doggy person but this one would melt anyone’s heart
amarica in reply to Marvin Collins’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Marvin
amarica in reply to Carlos Teófilo’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Carlos
amarica in reply to BarryNorton1’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Barry, so true
amarica in reply to jacqi’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Jacqi, well said
Boban, 3 months ago

This is wonderful ....................... B.
Michael Rowley..., 3 months ago

lovely work amarica
Mia1, 3 months ago

Awh, he is so cute. Wonderful
amarica in reply to Boban’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Boban
amarica in reply to Michael Rowley KeepsakesPhotography’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks MIchael
amarica in reply to Mia1’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Mia
Ata Alishahi, 3 months ago

oh god, that image is making me feel so bad. The same time I think sending message to those devils who hurt them.
amarica in reply to Ata Alishahi’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Ata. We need awareness and this is one way. There are many
Michael Bernard, 3 months ago

Brilliant expression and beautiful coat of color.
Helene Kippert, 3 months ago

Moving image – you can see the suffering in his eyes
amarica in reply to Michael Bernard’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Michael
amarica in reply to Helene Kippert’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Helene, yes you can
Sharon Wormleaton, 3 months ago

Excellent work amarica. It’s so true
Kelly KMA Berm..., 3 months ago

Great work – for a great cause. What a beautiful face – so sad. :(
Sean Farragher, 3 months ago

great image
Dave Warren, 3 months ago

Beautiful and a powerful but unfortunately true writeup
Aphoto4You IPA, 3 months ago

oh man this broke my heart reading this….i love my little dog…and he travelled with me to sedona…i sneaked him into park as they didnt allow dogs and i sneaked him into hotel room when ever i stay in hotel…i just coudnt ignore him…he sits with me on a chair and watch me while i type on this keyboard…...he is all i have now…i just r=teared reading this ..so sad…
Antanas, 3 months ago

great composition and expression
Mar Silva, 3 months ago

Now this is so sad. Things like this just break my heart. Sometimes man is so insensitive.
All creatures great and small…all are in this together.
Michael Oubridge, 3 months ago

So beautifully written, i don’t know how anyone could do such terrible things to such wonderful creatures, the expression on this dogs face is so upsettting on its own without your words to accompany it
amarica in reply to Sharon Wormleaton’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Sharon
amarica in reply to Kelly KMA Bermingham’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Kelly
amarica in reply to Sean Farragher’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Sean
amarica in reply to Dave Warren’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Dave
amarica in reply to Aphoto4You IPA’s comment, 3 months ago

It breaks my heart too Bianca. Some people have no heart and no conscience. That makes those of us who do care have to put in the extra effort.
amarica in reply to Antanas’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Antanas
amarica in reply to Mar Silva’s comment, 3 months ago

That is so true Mar. Man can either rise to great heights of love and sensitivity or sink to the lowest depths of the pit. I prefer to rise anytime compared to the opposite. I am glad so many people like you and others on RB care.
amarica in reply to Michael Oubridge’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Michael. We must tell the story so that awareness burns into the consciousness of humanity. Somehow we hope to reach a heart of stone and turn it into a caring heart and wake up others to the need to stop, think and care.
Steven Agius, 3 months ago

Great shot Amarica, poor feller has that sad look hope he finds a loving home.
Lucindawind, 3 months ago

awwww …its so sad isnt it amarica … I see the animals in the shelter where I work all the time and my heart just aches for them .. I hoipe he gets a home soom :(
lurline, 3 months ago

So beautiful – the image and the verse! :)
coffeetea, 3 months ago

excellent capture of the eyes…. wonderful tone.
J.K. York, 3 months ago

yes, very sad indeed. i can’t watch the animal channel when they have to rescue abused and neglected pets.
Valeriu Buev, 3 months ago

Very special stare, wonderful composition.
Thank you very much for your friendly comments.
Astrid Pardew, 3 months ago

how sad…this has made me cry…alas you are so right. Beautiful picture and very strong words!
Ruth Palmer, 3 months ago

OMGosh Amarica, it is so sad and unfortunately way too common.
Ken Boxsell, 3 months ago

Great shot but such a sad story. Happy shooting Amarica
amarica in reply to Steven Agius’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Steven
amarica in reply to Lucindawind’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Lucinda. He is one of the lucky ones. :)
amarica in reply to lurline’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Lurline
amarica in reply to coffeetea’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Susan
amarica in reply to J.K. York’s comment, 3 months ago

I have a hard time with that one too JK
amarica in reply to Valeriu Buev’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Valeriu
amarica in reply to Astrid Pardew’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Astrid
amarica in reply to Ruth Palmer’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Ruth
amarica in reply to Ken Boxsell’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Ken
Andy Harris, 3 months ago

sad looking dog… well captured!
Christopher E..., 3 months ago

excellent shot and wow..that poem..so true, and so sad, puts a lump in 1s throat when reading it, ill never understand why people do that to their pets, awesome job amarica
Sheryl Kasper, 3 months ago

You have captured the sadness in his eyes. A very sad story and the photo is so touching.
amarica in reply to Andy Harris’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Andy
amarica in reply to Christopher Ewing’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Christopher. Some people are rotten to the core. Others have hearts as big as the moon.
amarica in reply to Sheryl Kasper’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Sheryl
Rosina Lamberti, 3 months ago

love this!, how sad does he look
amarica in reply to Rosina Lamberti’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Rosina
Ilunia Felczer, 3 months ago

this poem is so sad and the dog looks sad….very touching….
amarica in reply to Ilunia Felczer’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Ilunia
Margot Kiesskalt, 3 months ago

A poignant image and words, which highlight the plight of so many animals.

If we assume control over animals as pets, then we have a moral responsibility to take care of all of their needs, not just “food and lodging”. When will we as a society come to the realisation that animals are sentient beings with a capacity to feel pain and pleasure like any other sentient being.

Beautifully done, amarica.
Jamie Lee, 3 months ago

Wonderful emotive expression, excellent capture
amarica in reply to Margot Kiesskalt’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Margot, beautifully said. I would like to put a stop to the wholesale murder of these animals that end up in so-called “humane shelters”. How humane is euthanasia?
amarica in reply to Jamie Lee’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Jamie
Micki Ferguson, 3 months ago

this is beautifully done!!
Ashleigh Robb, 3 months ago

Great capture of emotion!
Robin Webster, 3 months ago

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
lurline, 3 months ago

So sad, America. Heart-breaking shot! :)
SNik, 2 months ago

wonderful work!
david campbell, 2 months ago

very nice work
lareejc, 2 months ago

oh wow! I think everyone above has echoed my words…I don’t dare work for humane society because I would probably adope each and every one of those precious animals! Makes me want to cry ;(
jase8812, 2 months ago

Wow this is lovely !
Helen Bascom KMA, 2 months ago

Awwww, poor fellow. Who could resist this face? Superb work
amarica in reply to Micki Ferguson’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you Micki
amarica in reply to Ashleigh Robb’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you Ashleigh
amarica in reply to Robin Webster’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you Robin
amarica in reply to lurline’s comment, about 1 month ago

Yes it is Lurline. I hate man’s inhumanity to all things great and small
amarica in reply to SNik’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you SNik
amarica in reply to david campbell’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you David
amarica in reply to lareejc’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thanks Laree, me too
amarica in reply to Helen Bascom KMA’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thank you Helen