[Maureen_D44]

Does anyone know who wrote this poem, which starts as a cry for a dog in despair, who has grown tired and strained as a stray, sick of running in the rain, being hit with sticks and stones, a dog who has love and devotion he wants to give to an owner, and he is scared of dying alone. Does anyone know who wrote it as the only copies so far all suggest anonymous.

[Wondergirl]

Arlene Pace

Some sites say Author Unknown.

[Maureen_D44]

Thanks, that is as far as I have been unable to get. But I am trying to track it down as it would be nice to print in a nice form to sell for funds for a couple of rescue homes I support - for strays.
Maureen

[Wondergirl]

Thanks, that is as far as I have been unable to get. But I am trying to track it down as it would be nice to print in a nice form to sell for funds for a couple of rescue homes I support - for strays.
Maureen

Try the reference desk at your public library. They might be able to find out about permission to reprint it or if it's public domain or even if she is still alive (in Who's Who or Who Was Who or some other database).

Let me know if you have any success. I'm a retired librarian in the Chicago area and will follow up if you don't find anything.

[Maureen_D44]

Thank you. Unfortunately I have no great expectations from our local librarians, as the current situation does not necessarily mean that people with librarian qualifications are employed in a lot of public libraries, but rather clerical staff and managerial clerical. So it is a DIY task. In years gone by, my local library would have been my first port of call.
Thanks

Maureen

[Wondergirl]

Thank you. Unfortunately I have no great expectations from our local librarians, as the current situation does not necessarily mean that people with librarian qualifications are employed in a lot of public libraries, but rather clerical staff and managerial clerical. So it is a DIY task. In years gone by, my local library would have been my first port of call.
Thanks

Maureen

Well, then. I will get on the phone and try to get an answer for you. I know who's a professional (lots of them around here) and who isn't. :)

[Maureen_D44]

Thank you

[Wondergirl]

My reference librarian called me to let me know she couldn't find out anything about Arlene Pace being the author of that poem. Linda even checked copyright.gov and all sorts of databases for poetry and biography. Linda's suggestion, even though the poem is all over the Internet, is to NOT use it. Authors retain copyright for their work for 70 years after death, so you don't want Arlene Pace's estate to come after you, in case she IS the author.

There are lots of dog poems, so find one you can use -- or have a contest to write one that can be used.

I'd call Chicago Public, but I'm satisfied with all the bases Linda covered in her search.

***ADDED*** If you do use this poem, probably the worst that can happen is that, if Arlene truly did write it, she or her estate will simply ask you to stop using it. On one site, I noticed she had been asked for permission to use it, but that was in 1998. And it IS all over the Internet with her name attached or as Author Unknown, so lots of shelters have been using it.

[Maureen_D44]

Thank you. That is a really big help. I'll pass word on.
Thank you again