LETTERS: HELPLESS PETS ARE GOD'S CREATURES

To the editor:

The following poem was written by a very caring person following the aftermath of the tragic incident at the SPCA in Kennett about two years ago. I hope it will bother the conscience of the people who make their beloved pets homeless by dumping them at the SPCA as was the case last month when 675 animals were deposited at the Cape Girardeau shelter.

How about having them neutered or spayed? How sad it is to see a mother dog or cat with her litter in those cages, hoping someone will open his heart and give them a home.

Think about this. They are God's creatures, and they are helpless.

FRANCES BACHMAN

Cape Girardeau

I'm Still Man's Best Friend

By Wanda Lee Flynn

Scott City

I've always wanted to be man's best friend

and belong to a family whose children I could defend.

But I was killed and buried today,

and for what reason I cannot say.

Was I diseased or was something terribly wrong?

I really don't know.

I thought my health and disposition were good,

because I had been freshly groomed for show.

A family was coming to claim me today,

and they had children with who I could play.

But now I've been buried deep in the cold earth,

showing my life, to the killer, was of little worth.

But God created me to be man's best friend,

and that I'll be to the bitter end.

Your explanation: "You're just a dog."

I'm so sorry you feel that way.

If you will read "dog" backwards,

then I will have had my say.

God is the word you will readily see,

and I pray it will remind you of your cruelty to me!