My Mission

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
>By Stacey Vincent
>
>'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 Clause - 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 Clause 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!"
>
>
>
>Help the Homeless, check your local animal shelters
>and rescue groups when looking for a pet.
>