The Only Escape
by Sarah Carey

In the dark of the shed,
her puppies start to be born.
She's cold and weak,
all alone in the morn.

The pain washes over her,
with each life draining contraction.
No soft bedding or warmth,
to provide a distraction.

She struggles with every birth,
moving each pup to a nipple.
But she's tired and weak,
lack of food means no milk to suckle.

She does what she can,
as her babies whimper and cry.
She cleans and tries to warm them,
as one by one they die.

It's her tenth litter,
and each time she has done her best.
But this time too,
she is claimed for the eternal rest.

She floats away with her puppies,
Taking them to a brighter place.
No more to cower in fear,
from the Evil One's face.

How many more must suffer and die,
like her and her kin.
Before People listen,
and stop letting Puppy Farms win.

Not in her time,
but soon, there must be a change in the law.
So Mothers and Puppies,
will suffer no more.