As I look at these seven stories,

it’s difficult not to cry.

These poor animals are beaten,

abused, and left to die.

Students in Vegas cut of the head

of a bird, exotic and rare.

A dog has been purposely burned,

by a person with little care.

Another dog named Oogy

was cruelly tied to a stake.

His left ear was torn off

when he was used as pit-bull bait.

Sweet bulldog Adele arrived at a shelter,

covered in battle wounds.

She had obviously been in a fight

with another dog, or two.

A miniature paint horse named Callie

was used for three years to breed

on a property much like a puppy mill,

so the owner could satisfy their greed.

A little terrier named Lady

was found neglected in a backyard.

She was severely dehydrated,

and a chain ‘round her neck left a one-inch deep scar.

A Connecticut cat named Elliot

with a fifteen-inch arrow was shot.

He had been used as target practice,

and left to die and rot.

These are seven true stories

that I have found online,

of animals that have been abused,

or animals that have nearly died.

But these seven are only a few cases.

There are still so many more.

More stories that will make you cry,

and make your heart turn sore.

These animals have no voice.

They can’t stick up for themselves.

So it is up to you and I

to offer them our help.

Be there for these animals,

for they’ve often been there for us.

In times of great distress,

in times of great mistrust.

For all the little things

that animals have done for you,

I think you can do what you can

to stop animal abuse.