In Memory of Lily
Her cage was her domain
The hopelessness, the loneliness
She was a number with no name.
Her eyes had never glistened
No love, her heart had known
Her cries were never answered
Her doom was hers, alone.
Her body, torn and tattered
So weak, so thin and frail
Her small sweet face disfigured,
As she languished in her jail.
Like the others all around her
From neglect she lived in pain
Oh, humans void of heart and souls
Were surely those to blame.
Shrouded behind secrecy
They perpetuate their lies
The puppy mills breed misery
Kept hidden from our eyes.
Then breaking thru the darkness
An angel brought the light
Reaching down with kindness
To alleviate this plight.
And so a few were taken
To be given a new start
And a mission was now realized
From deep within a heart.
Now Lily was her name
She was nurtured now and cared for
And the others, just the same.
She responded to the kindness
She was kissed upon her head
Each night as she lay sleeping
In her warm and cozy bed.
From beginnings that were tragic
Lily now embraced the love
But she would only stay a minute
She had lessons up above.
Her life brought inspiration
She taught her humans well
About courage and conviction
To save others from the hell.
Lily’s life had purpose
As she endured such strife and pain
She emerged with great forgiveness
Oh, her life was not in vain.
Now the cozy bed is empty
But Lily’s memory lingers still
And hundreds more will follow
…..Rescued from the mill.
Bari Mears
Copyright 2008
Lily – A Tribute
For seven long years, this filth was home, so my eyes were filled with tears.
Her teeth were gone, her jaw had rot, her spirit nearly done
Yet in her stare, I found a plea, and I couldn’t just walk on.
I made a vow right then and there to take her from this place
And in my heart, forever more, was the image of her face.
I bid for her at auction, like the prisoner she had been
And determined that the price be damned, for this one I would win.
I took her home, with my embrace, her life begun anew
I wished I could have saved them all and brought them freedom too.
But in this sweet forgiving soul, I found the strength to start
For all those dogs who live this way are forever in my heart.
For one short year, sweet Lily knew the love she’d been denied
And so it was, in loving arms, she slipped away and died.
Her suffering was at an end, but not before she knew
What life was like outside a cage, and love could be so true.
And so it was, in loving arms, she slipped away and died.
Her suffering was at an end, but not before she knew
What life was like outside a cage, and love could be so true.
It is her gentle spirit that guides me in this quest
To change the fate of those still there, for that I will not rest.
There are ten thousand Lily’s still waiting to be freed
Each one of them in misery, and all of them in need.
Please share her tale with others and help them know the pain
A business cruel and ugly to be held in great disdain.
We owe it to them all to stop this heartless trade.
On the misery of innocents…tainted profit to be made.
I know sweet Lily watches the bitter tears I shed
For her and all the others who did suffer and are dead.
But in her name we rescue as many as we can
A journey that I hope can redeem the soul of man.
To Lily – our beloved angel!
Susie Bell
Copyright 2008