Death Row

Dark cell after dark cell lined the cold cement floor in the poorly lit prison. The prisoners all stood near the front of their death row cells hoping for some sort of contact, some interaction from another living being. Each prisoner waited in his small lifeless cubicle for the death sentence to be carried out. Each convicted without trial for crimes they had not committed.

There was Buck, large and powerful, his hair unkempt and showing years of indifference. His crime? - Survival! His family could no longer handle the power and size he had grown into and decided to discard him as easily as carrying garbage to the curb on trash day. Buck set out on his own and did what he had to just to hang on to life. His crimes of survival led to his capture and the sentence of death.

Across the cold cement walkway that separated the rows of cells was the cement tomb that housed Sarah, a small and wispy young lady. Her body in constant motion, she paced the small box, crying out as she fought to keep her sanity in this small confined space. Her crime? - She had no one, no family, no caretakers, no guardians! She had fought for herself ever since she could remember. Her crimes had led to her capture and the sentence of death.

At the back wall of this cold room was the cell that held Russell, young and tall, his body frame large and hollow. He was very thin and his skin was battered and had sores and bug bites and appeared leathery from years of exposure to the elements. His crime? - Being a loving family member! He was beaten and ridiculed daily by his abusive guardians and yet he still loved them and tried his very best to please them. The crimes of his guardians led to his removal from their home and his sentence of death.

Each cell held a prisoner and each prisoner had a story. Barney and Simeon, Becky and Gabbie. Each staring out the front of his cell hoping for a gentle touch or cooing hello from someone on the outside. Why were they there? What had they done besides trying to stay alive? Each stared out into the room wondering what fate awaited them.

Then one day the prison door swung open and light filled the room as a tall happy lady walked in and stopped at each cell to share her smile with each prisoner inside. She spoke to them and even touched them through the bars of the cell. As she made her way to where Russell was, she stopped and smiled down at him. "Hello there young sir", she said to the beautiful spirit housed in the weary body. "How would you feel about coming home with me today? " Russell pushed against the cell door, excitement filling his body as he heard her words.

Soon Russell and his wonderful savior walked down the walkway as each of the other prisoners cheered him along. His head was high and pride welled in him as he strutted towards the freedom he had always deserved. The door opened once again and Russell walked through, pardoned from his unjust death sentence.

Russell's cell didn't stay empty for long, soon there was another to take his place. Russell's day was bright, but what of Buck and Sarah, what of Barney and Simeon? Who will save these innocents and how will we save others from those death sentences. Whose crimes do they suffer for and how will we as the readers of their tales give them the freedom and happiness that they deserve...?

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Dedicated to the men and women of animal rescue - the last chance for some wonderful animals.

I thank you...

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