Andrea Rosebrock 
Hello, my name is Maggie, and I am four years old.
I’m cute and loving, have big brown eyes,
and a mouth full of pearly white teeth.
I make my home in my family’s back yard,
where I spend my life enclosed within a dog pen.
When I first arrived at my new home, I was so happy,
and was loved by all. I had so much love to give, and was “the apple of their eye”.
I was even allowed to spend the night in little Jimmy’s room and sleep at the
foot of his bed, for I had learned to potty outside, and not tear up his shoes.
Everything was going great for me. I loved my new little family, and
longed to be with them, and please them. I could hardly wait for little
Jimmy to come home from school so that he could play with me.
But suddenly, when becoming one year old, my life took a drastic turn.
For now that I was no longer “the cute little pup on the block”, and the
newness of having me had worn off, no one paid any attention to me any
more, and now I was all alone.
Then one day, little Jimmy’s father came and grabbed me by the neck,
and drug me to a cage in the back of our yard. This would become my new home;
a place for me to live out the remainder of my life.
Days would come and go, and I’d long to see them so,
but that didn’t happen any more. Other than the minute or two that it took little
Jimmy to throw food and water into my cage, I saw no one.
I’d sit in my cage all day long, trying my best to see what the world
was like on the other side of the fence; fearing I’d never know.
I’d hear children playing in the distance, yearning for them to speak to me;
fearing they never would.
Then came the winter winds, chilling me to the bone as I lay shivering
alone in the dark night. I could hardly wait for the morning sun to
warm me, while all along still dreading the beginning of a new day.
I could only wonder why my family kept me. Why hadn’t they had the
decency to give me to another family who’d love me, not just as a little pup,
but forever, even though I’d grown up and the excitement was over.
If only for a moment my family would walk in my paws,
they’d know that I too have feelings, for I hurt, cry,
and even dream of being free one day.
But you know, they never will, for to them I’m just a dog.
Maybe one day before I’m dead and gone, they’ll realize how sad they’ve
made my life by denying me the privilege of being loved.
If not by their family, through the loving arms of an adopted one.
*****
Always remember that I am your responsibility.
Always remember that I will require discipline, or I will become unruly;
just as your child does.
Always remember that I will require grooming in order to smell good and
look my best; just as you do.
Always remember that I will require daily exercise when locked in a pen,
or I will become sad, fat, and depressed; just as you would.
Last but not least I will require LOVE, for without it, my life wouldn’t
be worth living; just as yours wouldn’t.
So if you can’t give me LOVE, then please give me A-WAY, so that once
again I’ll have the will to live some day.
Love, Maggie
P.S. I just wanted to share with you that dreams can, and do, come true.
For my master finally released me, and took me to the Humane
Shelter where I was later adopted by a nice lady, Agatha Weeks;
my spokesperson, and my best friend.
Author: Agatha Weeks
Copyright © 2006
This is the sad story of not just Maggie, who is one of the lucky ones, but of so many dogs that sit alone, abandoned and neglected every day. Dogs are not toys or disposable, not to be gotten on the spur of the moment or a whim! they are living, breathing, feeling, loving creatures. They are a lifetime commitment that will love you unconditionally, totally and completely and ask so little in return.
Read that poem again and then share it with everyone you know and ask them to do the same. These words need to find those people who don’t realize, who don’t understand or worse, who just don’t care. If it can release just one from that lonely prison, that will be one that is save from a life of misery….
This broke my heart and made me give my dogs a big hug.
As I am sitting here at work crying, that is why I love animals more than I do the human race.
Ah sweet Maggie, you finally got the home, love, kindness and affection that you so deserve. You have got a wonderful mom. Hats off to you Agatha, you know what it takes to be a good pet parent.
Wish I was home to give my boys a big hug.
This is very sad , and the sadder part is that if they pass a law on tethering , how many will end up at shelters because the owners are useless
I’m so glad to hear that Maggie was one of the lucky ones to find another loving home. It’s so very sad to know that there are ones sitting on chains or in an isolated pen.
Two of mine are laying at my feet and the third is sitting on his sofa on the porch waiting for the milkman. Yes I still get milk delivered to my door just like in the good old days.
I say come and live with me my house is a clean dog feindly house and my door is always open …. and kibble and water in bowls…. treats at night for bed time…. sleep on anything you wish as it is all dog proof ….WOW emg where do live I’d love to get my milk that way you’re so lucky to live where ever it is….
Katrina, what kind of treats at bed time? Maybe my boys will visit…but, they are used to their peanut butter and bananas at night….
How sad it must have been for Maggie and such a beautiful dog. What were these people thinking? I am just glad that she got a new home. Like you said though, many won’t. People really need to think things out before taking a new puppy or dog into their homes. You don’t just get a dog or pup and that is the end of it. You have to feed them, groom them, take them for their shots, nurture them when they are sick and most of all love them unconditionally. If you can’t take that responsibility, then you have no business owning any animal. They need toys to play with and yes, you will have to pick them up. They will need beds and treats. If you can’t treat an animal as you would yourself then don’t bother. I just got two little Westie Poos and they are now 11 weeks old. They had some sort of infection (not serious) and they are on antibiotics. I baby them just as I would an infant. I don’t lock them away and I am trying to train them to go to the bathroom outside. If anyone has any ideas, please help. They go outside and pee, but want to poop inside. Suggestions needed. I know it takes time and I won’t give up or turn them away because of it. I talk to them like they are human. They sort of look at me weird. It all comes with owning an animal and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Moego1, take them outside right after they eat, and do not bring them in until they potty. With babies that age, it is easy to train them. Be sure to praise them when they do potty outside.
Another possibility, is a small small baby pool, fill it with pine chips (litter chips) from Petco or similar store, and teach them to potty and pee im there. It is like a doggie litter box. Believe me, it works!
Good luck Moe, I grow you’re a great momma to your new babies! The training will come. Give Susie’s ideas a shot. Take them out often. Use a crate when they are small to teach them, it really helps a lot. Dog usually will not potty in their “area” so they wait til they can. I am not a fan of leaving dogs in a crate but it’s a good potty training method, just don’t leave them too dog, puppies don’t have the control over an extended period of time yet.
D.
PS. Send me some new pix when you get a chance, they are such little cuties!!
Poor Maggie, is another victim of human cruelty. This story is dated 2006 I don’t know if Maggie alive, I send all my love for her and for all for dogs and any animal around the world who is suffering in this time, I am an animal lover, I dislike the people who hurt this beautiful creatures of God.
Animals deserve respect and a good life because they have same needs like as, the most important is LOVE.
We need fight against of this cruelty and abuse!!!!!!
This is so heartbreaking and so true. I wish people would realize that dogs are companion animals. I have 4 dogs I keep in my house. I rescued them off the street bewtween 2003-2007. They all came from different places. I have a shepherd mix, pom mix, papillon mix and a papillon. What is so unique about them is their all the same color red/white. I like to think it was meant to be for me to have them to care for and love them. Three of them were emaciated, starved. The other one was sick when I found them. The smallest one which is my pap mix was a bag of bones when I finally caught him.. It took 2 mos. to catch him. He was still hanging out at his previous owners home after they stopped taking care of him. He had nowhere else to go. Nobody would step in to help me. I love my dogs. They are my no.1 priority. My world revolves around them. Stories like Maggie’s really bother me. I’m happy her story turned out good. God Bless you Agatha for adopting her. I just wish it was a perfect world.
Yvonne, a personal thank you from me to you for taking in all your babies. I wish there were more people like you in this world. I am glad you did not give up on the pap mix, he has probably figured out by now that you are the mom he was looking for all of his little life.
Wishing it was a perfect world is what we all want. But, think how bored we would be if we didn’t have morons in the world for people like us to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!
Thanks again. You are a good mom to those babies.
This is a great story and too true for many animals. The saddest part of the story is the tossing of the food and the water by the son of the family. Dogs should be indoor/outdoor creatures loved by their families.
Thanks Susie!
Your right about my little pappy he is my shadow now.
I want to thank you for all you do for animals.
Peace for all animals,
Yvonne.
I am so glad Maggie was saved by Agatha…good job! Yup! Sage has the run of the house. It is her and my cat Sugar’s house more than it is mine. LOL The bed and couch is shared by both of them. Good training methods Susie.
Hi gang, my name is Agatha Weeks, Maggie’s mom. I am just updating. Maggie is very happy and well!!! She still sleeps with me every night, and we walk along the river every day. Now she has an adopted sister who is nine years old. She too was rescued and is loving the attention she is getting. She also loves her sister Maggie. They both are a joy to me. Thanks for the nice emails. Together, we just might make a difference in this world of animal abuse… By encouraging friends to get their animals from the shelter. How terrible to buy a dog or cat, when so many are having to be put down every day at the shelter, never having a chance at life. Keep up the good work; all of you!
Luv to all,
Ag & Mag
Agatha, so good to hear from you and your update on Maggie. How wonderful to hear she has a sister!!! Bless you and your pack – you are a good mom.