How to Tame Puppy Mill Dogs

When you meet them, move slowly.
Extend a soft hand and heart.
Do not move jerkily or grab them by
the legs or neck.They're ready for that.
Then bathe all the years of filth and
sex,rub her teats saggingly stretched.
Take away the organs for profit.
Wash all the memories of puppies
wrenched away to be put in glass
chambers oohed and ahhed over at the mall.
Clean them gently, a massage of
soap erasing the grit of the mill.

When you walk them, be patient.
They only know cages and brusque males.
Let them learn the lead and the training.
Their accidents aren't vengeful.

Call them by name, by name, by name.
Don't worry if their ears don't
prick up or if they don't run to you.
Take no offense.

Answer their barking,
even at 4 a.m.
They need a voice,
one answer after all.

Don't punish quick teeth or
tentative tongue.
Cover the furniture foam,
clean up the accidents
and wood and blankets gnashed or tugged.
They now have a pillowy soft sofa in their safe crate,
not a cage with a mesh floor.

Watch them discover their feet,
The grass tenderly velvet to their pads.
Watch them run,jump,down dog,roll.

Don't wear a hat or a beard
They'll take their revenge.

Open the sky and earth
to senses yet awakened.
The smells to investigate!
The butterflies to chase.
The house , the stairs,
the carpet, the kitchen
where food is given not shoved.

Stroke them, stroke.
Whisper their names.
They will answer in time.

Give them that.
Curl on the floor
to let them explore
your head and neck.
Give them love.
Give them love.
Give them love.

written by Claire E. Brown

-- Contributed by Amanda