Pets Night Before Christmas
Unknown
Classic poem reworked as a fable about caring for pets
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Complete text of page
- 'Twas the night
before Christmas
when all thru the house
not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by
the chimney with care in hopes that
St. Nick soon would be there.
The children all nestled snug in their beds
with no thought of the dog
filling their head.
And mom in her kerchief and I
in my cap knew the dog 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 his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog once so lively and
quick, last year's Christmas present now
painfully 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 will be loved by all.
I knew in an instant there would be
no gifts this year for Santa
had made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the dog for all
the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids gift
There was one important thing 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 explain as he rode
out of site, 'You weren't given a gift,
you were given a life.'
