An excerpt from -

Do I go Home Today?

By Sandi Thompson

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn’t know the difference between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.

They thought that I was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn’t time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain. I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy and then kissed me goodbye.

If I’d only had some classes as a little pup. I wouldn’t have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

“You only have one day left” I heard the worker say. Does this mean a second chance? Do I go home today?