So many strangers walking by,
their footsteps loud and heavy,
it echoes through my ears
and bounces off my racing heart.
Curious faces stare at me through my gate,
but they quickly keep on walking
once they see my snarling teeth.
I do not mean to frighten them,
but they scare me more, you see,
for they stare at me and shriek high tones,
and reach their big paws out -
but I know better than to approach
the ever-changing species whom so far has:
sold me, bought me, sold me again,
beat me, starved me, then tied me up in the rain.
My own species doesn't seem much better
for they bully me here, you see.
They bite me, steal from me,
and they rarely let me eat.
I spend my days just hiding,
hoping no one can see me,
and the one thing I have learned
is that if I show my teeth and growl,
then these scary human beings
will leave me for a while.
I feel like I am destined
to hide inside this kennel,
never to be loved,
never to belong,
trying to understand this confusing world
that I have become trapped in.
