December 1, 2010

{ A Shelter Dog's Christmas }

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!


12 comments:

  1. Okay, I could not even finish this poem! I absolutely LOVE your idea of donating bags of pet food! I'm now on-board and going to run with this idea! You have a kind heart, both your and your hubby.

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  2. I can't even see to type. I am a mommy to 1 shelter furbaby and 1 furbaby found roaming the streets. I'd have a hundred pets if I could afford it. What a great message, I hope that many see it and help the animal shelters this holiday season.

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  3. All our babies came from the shelters, & the best friends one could ever have.

    What beautiful hearts you both have.

    Have a beautiful week ~
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

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  4. I signed up to follow your sweet Oregon blog today and hope you will have a chance to stop by too! I live in the Portland area! :)

    I signed up for your wonderful giveaway too!

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  5. You and your hubby are my kind of folks!
    Thanks!
    Warmly,
    deb :)

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  6. I couldn't read this-I already know what it says-as my 3 furry rescue dogs look at me-I agree though-we need to support our shelters(we're lucky-we have a KalKan that gives regularly to our local one)-but we also need more people to adopt!!! Great post!

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  7. Oh, my, with tears in my eyes! This is so touching! This is a good idea.
    Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. What a sweet reminder of all the love just waiting to be given by the dogs and cats waiting for a home.
    Staci

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  9. I'm a dog lover myself...I think that God is very pleased when we take care of His creatures. Thank you for sharing this. It is lovely!

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  10. Oh Lori Lynn, I am in tears. I’ve never read this and it breaks my heart. I went to the pound to get two of my kitty babies and it overwhelmed me emotionally. I wanted to take them all home. I did get lucky with two wonderful babies from the kitty section though. I’m going to share your post on my facebook. It’s so good.
    Amy

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  11. I found my way to you from Glitter and roses and seen the beautiful everything and came across this post.I have a thing for lost and unwanted pets and unwanted anything Im always trying to give everything a loving home. Our house is a busy place.We have griven a foreverloving home to a dog and a cat..We love them dearly...Stop by and say Hi..

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  12. LORI! I love this! I have not been able to get into your blog since you posted this. I have been trying several times a day for it to only shut this window down and mine, too!
    Finally I get to see this whole poem. I am going to copy it and send it to everyone on my email list this year. Maybe it will get some people to think and not adopt if they aren't ready, not to dump them out and to help support their local shelters!
    Love your pink Saturday post and I think those shoes are fun- hope you can find you a pair.
    I like the little white sleigh with the picks and the wood candles would look really good repainted!
    PS- we have 6 orphaned babies in our home- 4 cats and 2 dogs.
    Hugs- Tete

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