Abandoned and chained to a tree
When you were but a little one
Yet old enough to understand
It was by man this deed was done

After they found you, you were sent
To a pound to wait for a home
Due to the horrors you went through
You wanted to be left alone

You cringed when people came too close
You remembered what man did to you
After sixteen weeks of waiting
There was no more that they could do

They readied you to be put down
In three days time you'd be no more
But God had other plans for you
The day that I walked through their door

Searching for a dog I could love
I came across you in your pen
Shaking with fear you watched me close
You seemed to sense I was your friend

When told I could not adopt you
I so angrily asked them, "WHY?"
They said that you hated people
And that you would soon have to die

I refused to let them do that
Without holding you close to me
I asked to be alone with you
Our love and trust was meant to be

They put us in a room alone
Wanting to see how you would be
And gently I explained to you
That you could die or come with me

I approached you very slowly
As they watched us through a window
Gingerly you allowed my touch
Then licked my hand as if to show

Those watching us we were okay
A tad frightened but doing fine
And you went home with me that day
So very happy to be mine

You became part of our family
You loved it when we rubbed your belly
Don't ask me why, it just seemed to fit
All together we called you Kelly

Still you remained a bit timid
When strangers came nosing around
The hair on your back stood right up
When you gave them your verbal growl

Slowly you learned to trust again
You made everyone your friend
Such a loving dog you became
Right on up to the very end

Thirteen years with Kelly Belly
Your golden fur bright as sunshine
You provided us with God's love
Kelly girl, you'll always be mine

And I know you are now at peace
Even though you're no longer with me
Play with your friends at Rainbow Bridge
I'll meet you come Eternity