Lost Dog

I saw a little dog today, And oh, that dog was lost; He risked his anguished puppy life With every street he crossed. He shrank away from outstretched hands, He winced at every hail - Against the city's bigness he Looked very small and frail. Distrust lay in his tortured eyes, His body shook with fright; (I wondered when he'd eaten last - And where he'd slept at night!) I whistled, and I followed him, And hoped that he might guess That all my soul reached out to him, And offered friendliness! So many times I have been lost, And lonely and afraid! I followed through the crowded streets, I followed - and I prayed. And then the God of little things, Who knows when sparrows fall, Put trust into the puppy's heart And made him heed my call. . . .