“Nearly 13 Percent of the American Population,

Or over 37 Million People, are Homeless Today.”

The National Coalition for The Homeless

As I wander about in pursuit of homeless dogs

I increasingly encounter homeless humans, too

I find both, on railroad tracks and in the forests

And the plight of both, makes me extremely blue

Millions of both, now live in this very sad nation of ours

Humans and Canines, discarded by our callous society

They live in tents, in wooden shanties, and under bushes

They all deserve far better, than they get from you and me

There was a time when homeless humans and dogs, were far fewer

But since our economy tanked, I now find both, just about everywhere

Far too many people have lost their jobs, their homes, and their families

Far too many canines, have now been discarded just like trash, out there

But one thing that has struck me over the last several years, as I rescue dogs

Homeless people with pets, seem to somehow manage to care for their friends

They somehow manage, to share what very little they have, with their own pets

When they lost everything, the ancient bond between Man and Dog, did not end

Just yesterday, I met a homeless young man living in a tent, with his loyal dog

He would not accept any money for himself, but he gratefully accepted dog food

He also told me he would keep his eye out for the homeless dog I was searching for

As I trudged on, my heart broke for both humans and dogs, now living in these woods

I have also met a man living in his car, with his two dogs

And a woman living in a cardboard box, with her two cats

We recently rescued ‘Etta,’ the dog living on the railroad tracks

Who for two years, was waiting for her homeless human to come back

©October 2013, Mr. Ed