A Shelter Dog asks God...

Dear God,
What is "Time"?
I hear the sadness in the voices of workers here.
They say my "Time is up", that they have to make
room for yet another dog.

My "Time" is up. I don't know what that means, God. I
only know that my new friends are so sad, and the more I
wag my tail---the harder I try to make them feel better--
-the sadder they become.

I know I have heard that word "Time" before, but I don't
understand. When I was younger, my people would
say "Time to play!" They would throw the ball, and I
would run fast. Sometimes I brought it back to them, but
other times we'd end up chasing each other having fun.

I remember "Time to eat". My people would put down a
bowl of food, and I would enjoy dinner, wagging my tail
in joy. There was also "Time for your walk". My boy
would put my leash on, and we would go walking together,
visiting the neighborhood and enjoying each other's company.

When I was younger I thought "Time" meant fun.
Or maybe Love?

I don't understand. "Time" must mean something else, but
how can it change, God? Before I came here, I heard my
people say, "No time to feed you now, boy. Later, when I
get home." Sometimes my family would forget, and there
was no food in my bowl.

Does "Time" mean when my belly hurts?

My people said there was no time for walks. I tried to
hold it all day long-- but God, I just couldn't anymore.
When I finally had to go, it made my family very angry.

Does "Time" means anger? Or maybe Loneliness?

My family said they didn't have "Time". They didn't have
time to play, or time to take me to the vet, or time to
go for walks. They didn't have "Time",
so they brought me here.

Maybe I was right... They said they didn't have time,
and if "Time" means Love, how did they lose it?

Did I do something wrong?

God, I think my new friends are sending me to you. Do
you have "Time"? May I sit on the couch?

Am I a good Dog, God?

Author: Joan C. Fremo
Published on: July 29, 2001