So many things in life filled you with such a fright

That I released of your spirit to go and take flight

You spent four long years at the end of a chain

And all of your confidence it surely did drain

Your body had sores that did cause you much pain

But you would just lay there and never complain

Your water dish was full of a green slimy mold

And the cheap food they fed you was many years old

They never once tried to bring you in from the cold

You were afraid you would stay there until you grew old

Your coop was so low that it scraped of your back

It was nothing more than a useless old shack

When you heard coyotes yipping you’d warn of attack

But all that would get you is a painful hard whack

So day after day you just sat there depressed

In your owners’ eyes you were just a pest

They had no idea of the kindness you possessed

You never got to show it because you were always stressed

Then one day a family got a good look at you

They called me and told me and I said that won’t do

I got in my car and to the next State I flew

I so hoped your story would end up being untrue

But there you sat with those pitiful eyes

Your painful big sores were just covered with flies

I was nice to your owners, told them all kinds of lies

Whatever it took to leave with you as my prize

I didn’t realize just how afraid you would be

Once out in my yard you were terrified of me

You were so overjoyed just to know you were free

If I got anywhere near you, you’d get up and flee

I wasn’t about to give up on you yet

You just had to learn that I wasn’t a threat

I had to figure a way to get you in to my vet

So I gave you some pills that would help you forget

I bought you a doghouse ‘cause it was so cold outside

But to tempt you I always left my door open wide

I never tried to force you, I had to let you decide

Then one day I looked and you were standing inside

I didn’t dare to move, I just stood in one place

I was so proud of you I had tears on my face

I made sure that no one invaded your space

I knew all of this needed to be done at your pace

Whenever you were in I didn’t dare close that door

But as long as it was open, you’d begin to explore

I remember my sigh as you finally laid on my floor

I knew that I was finally winning the war

Christmas Eve my son came to spend of the night

You wouldn’t come inside you were so full of fright

When he went up to bed I figured you’d be alright

I just took you to bed and I turned off the light

The next morning I really didn’t think much of it

Which was dumb on my part, I now have to admit

When he walked down the stairs you almost blew a circuit

He’d appeared out of nowhere and you didn’t like it one bit

So I learned never to trick you or hide things from you

All these scary new things you had to learn to work through

You learned to be patient and guests’ pats you’d pursue

You decided lots of attention was long overdue

I remember the fist time you jumped on my bed

You stood there just shaking and a tear I did shed

I didn’t dare to push you ‘cause you would’ve just fled

I laid there and said words of comfort words instead

Give you a frightened little bundle of joy

Then all of your charms you would gladly employ

You’d play with them for hours as if they were a toy

Your patience never faltered and they never seemed to annoy

You never got over being afraid of loud sound

When the thunder would start by my side you’d be found

When deer season started and they shot that first round

I’d like to take of their guns and point the other way around

As you got older your fears did grow worse

I prayed to God to remove of your curse

If a cure could be found I’d hand over my purse

But your fears of this world I was unable to nurse

One day as I walked through the front door

You were so drugged out that you lay on the floor

This sedating of you was going to happen no more

It was time to let your gentle spirit set soar

It hurt me so much to have to put you to sleep

The love you gave me in my heart was so deep

We sat there together and we counted the sheep

Yet the look that you gave said I beg you not weep

For out of pain you will be evermore

Never again afraid of what was in store

You’ll run and play ‘til we meet at That Door

Please be waiting for me on that beautiful shore