Forgotten Dogs Christmas

I found this on another forum...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear

The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed

A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"


Author Unknown

Wow. That is powerful. Thanks.

That is wonderful. I got a little teary eyed. :(

That's a great reminder of how special our pets our. They're not inanimate objects, but living, breathing, feeling, beings. Thanks for sharing. :)

this brought tears to my eyes. :( thanks for sharing!

Yeah, Santa! Brought tears to my eyes, too.

First time we went to a shelter to find a friend (Rosie) for Star, it was late February, and they had dozens of young so-called "Christmas puppies" that were bred but not sold, and didn't even get to go to homes for Christmas. It's such a shame that greed brings so much misery to animals this time of year.

I love this poem. Thank you so much for posting it. I thought I had
copied it before, but couldn't ever find it. This time of the year is the
perfect time to remind folks about the poem's message.

Wonderful!