Rescue me not only with your hands but with your heart as well.  I will respond to you.

Rescue me not out of pity but out of love.  I will love you back.

Rescue me not with self-righteousness but with compassion.  I will learn what you teach.

Rescue me not because of my past but because of my future.  I will relax and enjoy.

Rescue me not simply to save me but to give me a new life.  I will appreciate your gift.

Rescue me not only with a firm hand but with tolerance and patience.  I will please you.

Rescue me not only because of who I am but who I'm to become.  I will grow and mature.

Rescue me not to revere yourself to others but because you want me.  I will never let you down.

Rescue me not with a hidden agenda but with a desire to teach me to trust.  I will be loyal and true.

Rescue me not to be chained or to fight but to be your companion.  I will stand by your side.

Rescue me not to replace one you've lost but to sooth your spirit.  I will cherish you.

Rescue me not to be your pet but to be your friend.  I will give you unconditional love.

Rescue me with true love in your heart and I will give you these things all the days of my life.

Eternal Sleep
(By Terri Onorato)

It wasn't all that long ago
I ran the dusty track for show,
devoted and driven my face pierced the wind
as race after race I fought to contend.
Slow at the turn and lacking in grace
I did what I could but I never placed.

I loved to run hard and hear the crowd roar
yet those cheers turned to boos when I didn't score.
Folks lost their money when they bet on me
they tagged me a loser, said "Retire number three!"
I had no idea what I was likely to find
as I walked from the track for the very last time.

My person was waiting, eyes teared and face so long
I sensed inside the sadness that this time I'd not go home.
I tried to change my person's mind and wagged my mighty tail
but I knew deep down without a doubt, like racing I had failed.
We drove along the country roads till we came upon a town
where erected off the main drag was a place known as the pound.

A pretty woman came outside and took me from my crate
my person signed the papers and with one look at my face
said, "I'm sorry that I have to go and leave you here to sleep
but you're not as fast as others, you no longer earn your keep."
I felt my heart break into bits and walked with head bent low
I knew that it was over and I had no place to go.

Inside the dingy building I was checked and tagged and weighed,
a voice said, "We will put him down, tomorrow if not today."
I heard the pretty woman state, "Don't look him in the eye,
he has that greyhound gaze that says, "I do not want to die."
They put me in a kennel with the others on death row,
I lay down on the concrete and moaned so soft and low.

Morning filtered through the glass, I stretched my weary bones
the pretty woman came to me and said, "It's time to go."
The hall was long and stark and cold, I did not cry or weep
I used my eyes and face and soul to halt eternal sleep.
She tried her best to use defense and look away from me,
she seemed to know how wrong it was to do this deadly deed.

She bent down close and held my face against her silken cheek,
the needle entered my front leg and quickly I felt weak.
I heard the pretty woman sob as she lay me on the floor,
I saw a last glimpse of her face and then I saw no more.
I may not have been the fastest dog to ever run the track
I just wish someone had loved me so I could have loved them back.

The Shy One
(By Terri Onorato)

Hidden deep within her soul
a best friend lies in wait,
as passersby all but ignore
the shy one's frightened face.

Abused? Or was she born this way?
That's not the issue here,
attention to her past won't bring
the love she needs to heal.

The burning fear that clouds her eyes
reveals the painful truth,
that reaching out to trust
is something she alone can't do.

But if instead your loving arms
reached out to her today
you'd be amazed at all the love
she yearns to give away.

If you take the time to hold
her face within your hands
and look into her frantic eyes
I think you'll understand...

It's not that she's a "problem" dog
nor one who's a lost cause,
it's that she needs a person who
won't see her fears as flaws.

You say you want a happy dog
who'll love you all your days?
Right here my friend is what you want
behind the mask of pain.

You hesitate...I understand
how cautious you must be.
It's too late now to change your mind,
she's coming home with me.

But in her place another waits
ignored by passersby,
the shy one with a heart of gold,
a best friend in disguise.

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"Rescue Me", "Eternal Sleep" and "The Shy One" Copyright © by Terri Onorato and may not be reprinted or reproduced.

*Portrait Of An Angel Website*  All poems, photos and stories, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted © by Terri Onorato and  cannot be reprinted or reproduced. The fact that the poems, photos and stories are distributed via  the Internet does not release them from their creator's copyright privilege. Further information on copyrights can be found on our disclaimer page.