1000 Strangers
by David Kelly

Some are hairy, some are scruffy,
some are trimmed, and some are fluffy.
Some come bouncing off the wall,
some won't come to you at all.

Some are trusting from the get go,
some take weeks to say hello.
Some of them are always good,
some are just misunderstood.

Some are big and some are small,
some are short but think they're tall.
Some have hair that's going grey,
some have barely seen a day.

Some are quiet as a mouse,
some could bark down half the house.
Some are easy on the lead,
some walk you at twice the speed.

Some have three good legs, and still
beat the four legged ones downhill
Some came in here with a name,
some came in with none to claim.

Some were loved once, you can tell.
Some have yet to learn that well.
Some have waited weeks, and some
have watched a thousand strangers come.

Whatever coat, whatever size,
you can see it in their eyes.
Not one of them is asking much
a name, a walk, a toy, a touch.

Every one of them's the same:
They’re worth a bed, a bowl, a name.
All they want is for you to say:
“You’re coming home with me today”

Please credit: David Kelly, 1000 Strangers (1000strangers.com)
