Lost Dogs by Larry Jones

I picked up a lost dog on the road today.
she wore a collar, no tags.

I drove her to the dog pound,
where the dog catcher was waiting.

"call me if no one claims her." I said.

then I noticed a familiar looking dog,
alone in a cage.

"that dog belongs to my neighbor." I said.

"he's been here for six days, that's an $80.00 fee,
I'm putting him down in two days." the dog catcher replied.

I drove back home
called my neighbor,

"they have your dog at the shelter
he only has two days to live."

"okay thanks" he said, and hung up the phone.

I could tell by his voice:

just another dead dog.