'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 heads
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew "dog" was cold, but we needed our nap.
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
I knew "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 Old Mr. Claus - with a trickle of tears.
He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year's present, now so thin and so 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'll be loved by all."
I knew in an instant there'd be no gifts this year
For Santa had made one thing chillingly clear
The gift of a dog is not just for one season
We'd gotten the pup for a very wrong reason
In our haste to purchase the kids a great gift
We'd not thought it through, and there was the rift -
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on chain
And Santa exclaimed, his heart filled with strife -
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"
To all the rescues yet to be rescued. God bless all those wonderful adopters.