It was a new day,
I roamed the yard when
a stranger cradled me.
A new direction, new territory, new experiences
Foreign, unfamiliar surroundings
scary, unknown, and different.

It was a new day,
I smelled blood.
Biting, tugging, struggling to survive.
Fighting, until only one pulse beat.
A new sense, not death in battle.
Fearful, aggressive, failure.

It was a new day,
the blood scent led to a brawl.
Losing, punished and screaming,
Forced into confinement,
A habitual occurrence, thoughts flow
Pondering, adapting, changing.

It was a new day,
A ruffle sound.
Instincts force my actions.
I pounce, fighting to live.
Another day of discipline.
Fearful, adjusting, habitual.

It was a new day,
a creature scurried.
I attack, but first, I hesitate.
I let out a ferocious bark, alerting the master.
A new feeling, of peace and patience.
Calming, renewing, restoring