The noise and smell hit me first I thought my eardrums were going to burst. I walked passed a line of pleading eyes, and all I could do is express heavy sighs. Wet noses, sad, tortured eyes, in smelly cages, Kennel maids, shuffling business pages, Big ones, small ones, all eyes on me pleading to take them home Strays picked up after they decided to roam. Then, I passed another cage, so silent, no yapping no sound of a bark, At first, I thought it was empty , the cage was so so dark. Then a voice in my head said to go back, go on take a look. As I looked, I saw a black shape that shook. Two eyes stared at me, full of tremendous fear, I felt on my cheek, a falling tear. No-one wants him, said the kennel maid He was received from a rescue raid, His owner was departed, had died, A neighbour to the RSPCA did confide. He's a vicious little mite, he tried to bite me says the kennel maid. His hope for re-homing is now beginning to fade. After much pleading, she opened the cage and nervously fumbled with her papers page, she tried not to look at this poor little mite. He shook, but me, he did not bite. I sat down beside him not saying a thing. He reminded me of a bird with a broken wing. After a while, he sniffed my hand, and I stroked his sad little head, as he sat on his stinking urine soaked bed. I spoke softly in a whisper to him, trying to take a good look at him in the light that was dim. he then leaned on me, his eyes full of fear, I could see. as I said "you're coming home with me. I paid the kennel fee, picked him up in my protective arms stroking his head with my sweaty palms. On the metro he snuggled into me, his warm little body, smelling of stinky wee. People giving dirty looks towards me. But I just spoke these words, now your mine, there's nothing more to fear. As his tail began to wag, again I felt a tear. as he gave a contented snuffle, a contented sigh. Leaving the station and the kennels, I said bye bye. I believe the lord moves in strange ways because he guided me through the kennel bays. He led me to this lost little pup as he knew this would fill my grieving cup. I then saw an apparition, my charlie, now long dead wagging his tail, sitting on my bed. Yes, I said, "little one, you're safe, loved now, your mine, you're home to a love that's divine. Two grieving, beating hearts, Love, acceptance, healing broken parts. Together for a lifetime away from the kennels dirty slime. Away from the stress and the hurt away from the urine dirt.