Dog For Adoption $50.00-Spayed
by Josyln Lowe from Wilson High School
Published in the 2006-2007 WITS Anthology Mostly What I’m Made Of

I remember once long ago
A man who had no love
Taught me only of fear and hatred
And I became afraid of him

Now I’m here
Among rows and columns
Among cages filled with others
Who are like me
Scared.

All I want is a home
Filled with wonderful smells like pot roast
And a nice crackling fireplace
In which I can warm my tender pink belly on a cold winter day.
I want to be able to go for long walks on the beach
And chase little balls of sunshine, called tennis balls.

I may be mangy
One-eyed
Three-legged
Skinny, shy, rambunctious
Deformed,
Broken,
Loud
Or messy.

But when you need someone to kiss away your tears
And be happy to see you after a long day at work
I’m right here, and waiting for you.