Man’s Betrayed Friend

Dog, who bravely left your pack to live alongside man
Down through thousands of years
Friendships evolved not planned
The only alliance between man ever made
Over time, growing stronger with age.

But now the betrayal of man’s trusted friend!
Crammed in a cage to receive a slow death,
At the cruel hands of humans who couldn't care less.

 
I look into my own dog’s eyes
I see you there, I hear your cries.
No name, no home, no future; without hope.
Suffering, frightened, in the dark all alone.    

I can't be there beside you, next to you, or ease your pain
But your screams have truly reached me,
Mile by mile, across the plains.

Your eyes search the crowd for a smile or friendly face
Your tail still wags, but it’s gone to waste.
Seeing others beaten, cut and skinned alive
You search for compassion in a human eye.

Leave him be, I plead, I cry
You’re in my heart, my thoughts, my mind.

I'll not buy any skins and furs, I'll not look away
I'll sign the petitions and write letters today.
I'll face the facts, compel others to act
I'll work with pen, for you; man’s betrayed friend.

For it's a sad demise for all to see
How low man sinks in brutal acts of cruelty.
Yes I am human and filled with shame
A global problem, with many to blame

 
Thousands of years and still we've not learned
But what would happen if the tables were turned?
Only canine would still be there, to defend thee
So I'll do for you - what you'd do for me.

© EDDR 2006