RESCUING RESCUERS

Healing hands are what we bring to this passion of our hearts.
Taking broken souls and frames, we try to heal their parts.
We take unwanted from their homes, take the sad ones from the pounds.
We lift alone ones off the streets and turn lost ones into “founds.”
With gentle care and food and love  these wee ones learn that life
Has much, much more to give to them than harsh words, hurt and strife.
They learn that hands can bring good things besides hard slaps and fear.
That sweet caresses, cookies, hugs come to them when they draw near.
They learn that voices can be soft and not hurt their tender ears
The angry sounds that cut like knives are now gone - washed ‘way like tears.
Sometimes it’s hard for us to bear  and continue on our way -
Frustrated there are no foster homes for the dog who came today.
We try and make room for one more  within our own cramped space
Our own dogs sharing Mom or Dad with yet another sad, small face.
How can we cope from day to day  with sad stories, extra fuss?
We, who have the healing hands…Who is it that heals us?
Surprisingly, our healing comes  from those we choose to heal.
The love that’s given back to us when our hearts these wee ones steal.
Watching trust appear in eyes  once so closed and shuttered in.
Watching flesh appear on ribs on those who were so thin.
Dogs who came, afraid to move  for fear they might be kicked
Meet prospective parents at the door  demanding THEY be picked.
When the time has come to let them go off to forever homes,
We remember that between new lives and past we are their stepping stones.
The ones who come and can’t be healed, their small souls can’t find peace,
Or broken bodies too far gone are to the Bridge released.
This final gift that we can give  is one given through our tears.
Release is given wrapped in our arms  - our love whispered in their ears.
The day we cross the Bridge ourselves I know that we will meet
Rescued angels who’ve gone on ahead, they’ll be clustered round our feet.
Smiling faces shining up, bright eyes filled with love,
We’ll know that they’ve been watching us  from their soft cloud beds above.
As we helped them in their lives below  and taught them love and trust,
They are now OUR stepping stones - they’ve now rescued us.

~ copyright Cyndee Walklet 2000