Andrea Rosebrock 
Tell Me Why . . .
does no one hold me when I cry?
They say we are a good-natured breed,
cheerful and easy to get along with,
that to be happy there is little we need
A place to have fun and not much more,
good food, a warm spot to sleep, and love
but I won’t get that down on this floor.
I was brought here when I was fairly young –
a gawky, healthy pup and though it’s been a while
I still recall starlight and the bright, warm sun
I remember running on grass and gazing at the sky
I had litter mates once and we would tumble and play
now there are dogs I can’t see, but I hear them cry
When humans come to get me they are wearing white
sometimes they take me to an enclosed patio of cement
I can stretch my legs, but I’m alone. To prevent a fight?
Once, a human pulled me out of my cage and on her sleeve
I could smell the confusion and despair from one of my kind
It made me nervous, I whined and I squirmed, wanting to leave
She flinched, a person yelled at her, and they walked away
since that time, when they come for me, there is no smell
no scent of the others who live in this jail of gray
They use needles and hurt me, but I don’t know why
What they do to me makes me feel very sick
They may mumble, “This won’t hurt much,” but it’s a lie
Other times they put me to sleep and I awake in fear
Sometimes something’s wrong with my eye or my ear
or I have sores, cuts, and I’ve lost some of my hair
I’m afraid, and sad, wondering how long will I be here?
Someone should know that my soul is alive
and though they continue to hurt me,
my loving heart remains sweet
I haven’t a name, just a number: KB-5 . . .
. . . there are no toys, no walks, no treats
Two humans have come to collect me
one is carrying a small plastic bag
The other, with a needle in hand, lifts me up
and lays me down on a cold metal slab
I’m given a shot, but this time it feels different –
it reaches inside of me, and goes deep
Shivering, I feel like I should cry
but all that comes out is a whimper
Why is there no one to hold me?
Tell me why . . .
the others and I must die?
Dedicated to all the dogs and animals who are killed in the name of science
There is a wonderful organization you may have heard of it- the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)- that could use some publicity from your site, thanks!
@edith – Edith, animal experimentation is not a subject that I’ve really touched on here but one I do think needs some serious attention. I’m going to check out the organization you mentioned. Thank you so much for pointing me in that direction!
Deanna
I used to be in the business. Research toxicology. Our test systems were animals. I’ve seen it all.
we can’t tell you why
because there IS not a good reason why
not any more
and most people just do not want to know
and the researchers assure you that they MUST treat the animals well….”oh they are treated better than most dogs in homes they say”
oh, we are under strict regulations ….they say.
or they will say…are you not glad we have penicillin…that was tested on animals….etc, etc,
i would advise everyone to browse through the magazines you have at home
find the ads on medications
and read the really fine, fine, finest teeny tiny print and you will see what horrid things they do to animals and their fetuses….in the name of their meds
and then at the end it ALWAYS says…
BUT this does NOT tell us what will actually happen in humans…
so everyone…the pain and suffering of the innocent goes on for what…why…
FOR NO GOOD REASON WHATSOEVER…
it goes on for the MONEY that can be made to do it.
and that is why it will always be true that
MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL….ALL EVIL.