Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,

[puppyluv]

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town, every shelter is full - we are lost but not found. Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare, we hope every minute that someone will care, They'll come to adopt us and give us the call, "Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways, Once we were little, then we grew and we grew - now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash, they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash? We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call", we "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed, now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made. If only they'd trained us, if only we knew... we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam- now we're tired and lonely and out of a home. They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye... "Maybe someone else will give you a try."

So now here we are, all confused and alone... in a shelter with others who long for a home. The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat, with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat, They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer... we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads.. of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds. Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears -- our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn -- could you help with the bills and fill our food bin? We count on your kindness each day of the year -- can you give more than hope to everyone here? Please make a donation to pay for the heat... and help get us something special to eat. The shelter that cares for us wants us to live, and more of us will, if more people will give.

[user5624]

Here's another one I read online recently

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 unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick..
More rapid than eagles he called the dogs name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain.

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER 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 giving a gift! You were giving a life!"

Author Unknown

[harbourchick07]

i know these are old but i am going through all the threads to see what there is. This has changed my mind on cute little puppies behing glass at a pet store. To the ARL i shall go to give my name to volenter my time in hopes to give each dog a kiss and hug, stay for a chat and fill their hearts with love. i am looking for another guinea pig to keep mine company i think i will try there to keep the shelter empty. and to make it easier for a new animal to be keep out of the cold rain. i am going to try and raise money i think through a yard sale this summer. i was going to save up to go to Alberta to see my sister but i think she can wait longer then a an animals thats in danger.