I post this poem every year during this time because I believe in the importance of taking care of our less fortunate fur-folk. My husband and I don't buy each other too many gifts, preferring to spend that little bit of extra cash on bags of dog and cat food for the local shelters. I tear up every time I read this.

A Shelter Dog's Christmas

'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 - left 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 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.

~ author unknown ~ 

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER!