A Name At Last

by Lisa Hindle Deppe, DVM

In a small town in the country is a barn with a rooster top.
A farm unlike the other surrounded by crops.
Inside a metal building lies cage by cage by cage filled with puppies and dogs.
Their bodies worn beyond their age.
In this cage sits number “Five”.
She awaits her daily meal.
She wonders what’s outside this big old building made of steel.
For years she has made puppies.
Each puppy grows and goes 
to homes filled with love and happiness and grass beneath their toes.
Five wonders when it’s her turn.
She wants to venture past the door of the building she resides in.
For grass to touch her paws.
Years go by, and Five is old, too old to make more pups.
She sits lonely in the cage now.
She wonders who will pick her up.
The dogs all bark, the noise begins to hurt Five’s elder ears.
The woman that they call “Rescue” is oh so very near.
Perhaps this time it’s my turn.
Is there space for me?
Is there a person willing?
Perhaps this time it’s me?
Rescue walks on over, Five slowly tilts her head.
“I want to step upon the grass, and sleep in a soft bed”
The cage door opens slowly
Human hands embrace her chest.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted. I sure hope it’s for the best”
Rescue took her to a place the people called the Vet
They “fixed” her, cleaned her, held her. They gave Five a comfy bed. Soon people came to meet her.
They brought these things called toys.
They put a collar on her neck and Five made lots of noise!
Her body wiggled happily.
A home is what she found.
She got to sleep upon a bed and feel the grass upon the ground.
When Five got home she met a girl.
Miranda was her name.
“I will call you Kirby. Are you ready for some games?”
Miranda dressed up Kirby.
She read to her at night.
She slept with arms around her.
They held her nice and tight.
The girl grew up and Kirby passed but the memories remain of the little dog they rescued, who finally had a name.