I Am Famous Now?

(This poem was found by a friend of mine while researching puppy mills and irresponsible pet ownership issues for a school paper. It really moved me. )

I Am Famous Now?

~ by Dawn Phelan ~
A member of the Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital staff, in Madison, Wisconsin

I was born today.
One of 10.
My daddy was very famous.
I have lots of half brothers and sisters.

My mother is very famous.
Since she got famous, She has only had puppies.
No more loving hands, No more fun trips, just puppies.
She is always sad when they leave her.

I left home today.
I didn't want to go.
So I hid behind my mama
And my three littermates that were left.

I didn't like You.
But one day, they said, I would be famous.
I wonder, is famous the same.
As fun and good times?

So You picked me up and carried me away,
Even though You were concerned
About me hiding from You.
I don't think You liked me.

My new home is far away.
My heart says: BE BRAVE.
My ancestors were.
Did they go to good homes like mine?

I'm hungry because I can't eat too much,
Because it will be bad for my bones.
I can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me.
I just run and play and pretend
That I'm in a big green field
With butterflies and robins and frogs.

I can't understand why they kick me.
I am quiet, but the man hits me and says loud things.
The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother.
She just throws dry food on the ground,
Then goes away before I can get too close for touching and petting.
Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it anyway.

Today I had 10 puppies.
They are so wonderful and warm.
Am I famous now?

I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny.
I am so young and playful
That it's hard to lay here in this hole under the house
Nursing my puppies.
They are crying now.

I am so hungry.
I scratch and worry my fur.
I wish somebody would throw me some food.
I am also very thirsty.
Two got cold during the night
And I couldn't make them warm again.

They are gone.
We all are very weak.
Maybe if I take them out on the porch,
We can get some food.

Today they took us away.
It was too much trouble to feed us,
And someone came to take us away.
Someone grabbed my puppies.

They were crying and whimpering.
We were put in a truck with boxes in it.
Are my babies famous now?
I hope so, because I miss them.
They are gone.

The place smelled of urine, fear and sickness.
Why was I here?
I was beautiful, like my ancestors.
Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain and unwanted.
No one came though I tried to be good.

Today someone came.
They put a rope on my neck, and led me to a room
That was very clean and had a shiny table.
They put me on the table.

Someone held me and hugged me.
It felt so good!
Then I felt tired and laid over the last one who cared.

I am famous now.
Today someone cared.

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