Last Bark

Once again, I walk around my cage. I barely fit in here, and there is not much room to move around. The floor is covered in old newspaper, and from the night I had, it is wet and full of waste. I did not sleep very good, as the others were very loud last night yelping.

I have been here for what seems like eternity, and although I have made friends, it is so lonely. I miss my home. The family I once knew. I guess I got to old or something. I thought I would be there until the day I died, but now here I am. Imprisoned, surrounded by others who have bad legs, fleas, or are just old like me.

I have to stay in the corner as the newspaper is covered, and I dont want to step in my own urine. I whimper a little as I havent seen the young man that does the cleaning here. I reminsice on my past, but it only makes me more sad because I know that is to never be again. People come in during the days here and take some of us away, but it is usually the young pups, or one of the full breed dogs. Us mutts get passed over again and again. It doesnt help that I am old, and the only thing I got going for me is I am loyal and trained, but they dont know that.

As the young boy approaches, I perk up because my cell is finally going to be cleaned. He reaches in and grabs me but I notice he does not have his usual cleaning supplies with him. He carries me in his arms to a room I have never seen. It is very hot in there and he sits me on the table. All of a sudden he pulls out a big needle. I try to run, but he holds me down, and slowly sticks me with the needle. I start to fade in and out, as I can barely open my eyes I see him throwing dogs into a big furnace. Dead dogs. Oh my God, this is it. He has put me to sleep. Its only a matter of time. All I want is my cage back and I dont care how much piss is all over the things. Please no..... I am trailing off.... no,... not yet....plea...........bark......whimper.....please no......ple........


I wrote this because it came to me when I was just thinking about the time I did community service in an animal shelter. I remember the smell from that furnace. I hated it. I am not a big animal lover, but I think it was messed up and smelt nasty. I seen them just kill dozens a day. I hated it, and all I could ever think is this is doggy death row. It was sad.