We pray for pups Who put muddy paws everywhere Who like to have their tummies rubbed Who run through puddles right after their baths Who beg for treats even though they just had their dinner Who chew holes through our shoes Who want their balls thrown over and over   And we pray for those Who stare at one place from behind wire cages Who can't run across a field on legs that aren't stiff Who have never played fetch Who never go to a park Who live in an X-rated world   We pray for pups Who kiss us every place that they can Who meet us with ecstasy every time we return (even if it has only been 10 minutes) Who take up most of the bed and want most of the blankets Who get into the garbage or into spats with skunks Who demand our attention and bay off key Who tear up rolls of toilet paper Who gulp their food   And we pray for those Who never get treats Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them Who watch their mamas watch them starve Who don't have leftovers to sneak Who don't have a hand to comfort when in pain Who don't have anyone to know they're in pain Whose pictures are on no one's dresser Whose monsters are real   We pray for pups Who howl at baths Who can't stand to have their nails clipped or their teeth cleaned Who hate to have their ears cleaned   And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime Who cringe from human hands because they have never known a caress Who stand day after day in their own leavings Who have never been spoiled Who live and move but have no being We pray for those Who want to be carried and for those who must