An Abandoned Dog Poem by Somanathan Iyer

Thirteenth December, cool and bright was the vibrant morning
Seated at the portico sipping a coffee immersed I was in reading the paper
Diverted my attention towards the street a sudden chorus of barking dogs
Upset with the dogs for disturbing my peace out I went to know the reason

An Alsatian was walking all alone unmindful of his cousins outbursts
Weak and vulnerable with desolated looks and pathetic his condition was
Once he was out of my sight I came back to attend my daily chores
An hour later along with my nephew I saw him walking into my house

Terrified by stones pelted by urchins he opted to follow my nephew
Till his owners pick him up it was decided to shelter him in portico
Milk and biscuits offered to him disappeared in seconds as he was hungry
Considering his breed we fed him with boiled eggs though we are vegetarians

Passed the next day no one came to claim him back proving he was abandoned
Weak he was not able to stand and a wounded leg causing him problems
We named him Rofez and took him to clinic for getting him treated
Diagnosed by doctor he was old and his hind legs having severe numbness

My niece and her daughter opted to take care and started attending all his needs
All the health foods available for pets found a place in his daily menu
OK he was for the next one week as medication continued without any lapse
Once in three days regular were his check-ups also he was looking cheerful

Never he barked nor he grinned only his size terrified the visitors
Started his problems in all its seriousness as his hind legs failed to respond
Confined to a corner all his nature’s calls were to be cleaned manually
Shocked we were to hear from the doctor he may never be able to walk

In all the earnest we searched for home for pets and found a one that was viable
Paid for his maintenance they promised to take special care of all his medical needs
Poor Rofez has to leave with farewell looks filled with tears leaving us shattered
He came as an abandoned and unwell he left as an unwanted and abandoned