HERE IN THIS HOUSE....

Here in this house... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barksof the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when Iwake, my world will not have changed.

I will never know hunger, or the fear ofnot knowing if I'll eat.

I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary fromthe heat.

I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and beallowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty ormatted.

Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate withme on my level.

I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, Ican enjoy the warmth of the words.

I will be given a name so that Imay know who I am among many.

My name will be used in joy, and I willlove the sound of it!

Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.

I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves

I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.

I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, orstupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.

If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to myteacher for blame.Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.

If I am ill, Iwill be doctored.

If scared, I will be calmed.

If sad, I will becheered.

No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautifuland known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or notcute enough.

My life is a responsibility, and not an after thought.

Iwill learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house... I will belong.

I will be home.