Christmas For Alley Cat
by Susan Beck
THE STORY OF THE ALLEY CAT
FROM THE BEGINNING, NOT THE END,
IS SAD BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE LIVES HIS LIFE
IT LEFT HIM WITHOUT A FRIEND
WHEN HE WAS JUST A KITTY
HIS MOTHER WAS ILL AND DIED
HE LIVED IN DIRTY BOXES
THE ALLEY WAS HIS LIFE
HE LIVED AROUND THE GARBAGE CANS
AND PEOPLE PASSED HIM BY
THE YEARS GREW LONG
WITH NO ONE TO LOVE,
THE ALLEY CAT WAS CRYING INSIDE
MANY SNOWS HAD COME AND GONE
YET, STILL HE SURVIVED
A SCAVENGER FOR FOOD HE BECAME
ON THE STREET YOU FIGHT TO LIVE OR DIE
ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN HE WAS TEN
THE FISH STORE OWNER INVITED HIM IN
SO MANY YEARS YOU LIVED BEHIND MY STORE
I DON’T KNOW WHY
I NEVER OPENED UP MY DOOR
WITH CANDLES LIT
THE SNOW DID FALL
THE FIREPLACE WAS LIT
THE ALLEY CAT FELL ASLEEP
CURLED UP IN A BALL
HE LAID BY THE WARMTH OF THE FIRE’S GLOW
IT FELT SO GOOD
HE LOVED IT SO
HE WAS GIVEN FOOD EVERY DAY
A WARM BED
A PLACE TO STAY
HE FELT THE HANDS
OF A LOVING OWNER
WHO TOOK CARE OF HIM
UNTIL HIS LIFE WAS OVER
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
ALLEY CAT!
THE END
The Last Dog Left on Christmas Eve
by Susan Beck
It was Christmas Eve
No one in sight
The Shelter was closed
on this holiday night
The last dog left
only one remained
It was cold and dark
He had no name
He fell asleep
on the hard, cement floor
His heart was empty
He couldn’t take it any more
He curled up
like a big round ball
But he was awakened by a sound
coming down the hall
He could feel the warmth
of someone near
It was Santa Claus
and his famous Reindeer
Don’t worry, little fella
Santa’s here to say
You are not forgotten
on this bless-ed day
Here is a gift
and you will see…..
how it will be handy
If you just have faith in me
The last dog left
lifted his head
and what did he see
But a beautiful bed
And wrapped in a bow
was a collar of blue
and a card from Santa
that said, “I love you”
The dog was filled with endless joy
A brand new bed
and a squeaky toy
A collar of blue
and food for the night
With faith in his heart
He slept real tight.
Morning came
It was Christmas Day
Footsteps down the hall
Someone was coming his way
A little girl
with milky white skin
with dark black curls
She needed a friend
Her eyes grew big
and filled with tears
The dog she had dreamed of
had finally appeared
“You’re the cutest dog
I ever did see
You have one tall ear
and one that is floppy”
He ran to her arms
and they embraced
Her arms around his neck
and a lick on her face
The last dog left
on Christmas Day
The shelter was empty
and empty it stayed
The End
Holiday cards hand drawn by VADA:
A Golden Christmas
On the Twelfth day of Christmas
my true love gave to me…
Twelve Dalmations Drumming
Eleven Spaniels Sleeping
Ten Magnificent Mutts
Nine Poodles Prancing
Eight Rottweilers Ringing
Seven Labs a Leaping
Six German Shepherds
Five Golden Retrievers
Four Beagles Begging
Three Dachshunds Dashing
Two Terriers Toasting
and a Pomeranian in a Pear Tree
A Greyhound’s Christmas Wish
Dear Santa to you I make my wish,This could be my very last Christmas list.
No time to be frivolous, I must hurry you see,
I’m no longer the best, they no longer want me.
I’ve heard of places where there are soft beds,
Sofas and pillows to lay your head,
Plenty of food and toys for play,
People who hug you night and day.
I’ve heard of the warmth the hugs can bring,
And car rides to get you wonderful things,
Large spaces to roam when you feel the need,
A place they will love me for being just me. My wish, Dear Santa, I clearly state,
My hope as I sit closed tight in this crate,
To ask for myself I know is not right,
But please bring a family to love me tonight. Copyright (C) 1995 Robin Krautbauer
Christmas Returns
Santa comes quietly long before dawnWhile shops are still busy and lights are still on
While dinners are cooking and kitchens are warm
And children count presents they’ll open by morn. He slips past the trees in windows aglow
Through the gate to the backyard as icy winds blow
To find the pup he brought last year
chained up in the snow
And, kneeling, he whispers, “Are you ready to go?” There are too many stops like this one tonight
Before the beginning of his regular flight
He leaves not a note or footprint in sight
Just an unbuckled collar on a cold Christmas night.
The Day Before Christmas
“Tis the day before Christmas and all through the house,
the puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse
The wreath which had merrily hung on the door,Is scattered in pieces all over the floor. The stockings that hung in a neat little row,
Now boast a hole in each of it’s toes. The tree was subjected to bright-eye whims,
And now, although splendid, it’s missing some limbs. I catch them and hold them,”Be good I insist!”
They lick me, then run off to see what they’ve missed. And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me,
That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be. Should children and puppies yet show us the way,
And teach us the joy that should come with this day? Could they bring the messege that’s written above,
And tell us that. most of all, Christmas is love!
A Christmas Story
He piddles carpets and walls too!!
Casts an arrogant eye on you.
Piddle piddle dumpling, my boy Wu.
His leg-lifting a prelude to
Another “WuWu, Shame on you!!”
Wee Wee flying straight and true.
Piddle piddle dumpling, my boy Wu.
Late at night on Christmas Eve,
My piddling boy, old Wu perceived,
Smoke & flame, the Christmas tree!
Lucky Wu just had to pee.
He raced up to the fire brave,
And piddled out his heart to save
The one he loved, so dear and true.
Piddle piddle dumpling, my hero WU.
The flames were out and Wu so tired,
A better fireman just couldn’t be hired,
Now the household up and grateful.
Wu the piddler, oh so faithful.
He spends his days now free to roam
All the rooms in all our homes,
Piddling spray, firefighting too.
Piddle piddle dumpling, our hero Wu!
By John Arthur Newman
Centerreach, NY
T’was The Night Before Christmas
T’was 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 the 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 mama 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 the objects below
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
but Santa Claus – with his eyes full of tears
Santa unchained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year’s 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 a gift for the kids
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!”
A Rescue Dog’s Christmas Poem
Written by David, the Dogman
‘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.
A Beloved Dog’s Christmas
‘Twas the day before Christmas when all through our house
Every creature was stirring, including Pet Mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney – my lair –
Next to my Master’s favorite stuffed chair.
My family was singing and still decorating;
Three dogs and three cats were anticipating
A glorious Christmas of new gifts, great treats;
The cats wanted catnip, the dogs wished for meats.
Excitement was building throughout the day
Our people were happy; we all got to play;
Gift wrapping, baking, smells of turkey and ham
I felt grateful to be “Home” as the loved dog I am.
As night came and our warm beds awaited,
The excitement had built to a pitch unabated;
But we all went to bed for a short night of rest,
Knowing Christmas would bring us only the Best.
I thought of my “brothers” and “sisters” outside –
Some starving and freezing with no place to hide;
No families to love them; no food; some in pain;
I knew that many would die in the cold and the rain.
I said a dog prayer for each unwanted stray
And asked Santa Paws to give them one Special Day
To let each of them know of real love and sharing,
A kind human touch and sweet, gentle caring.
A Light filled the sky and glowed everywhere;
Someone from above had heard my prayer!
An angelic Presence came into my view
And said, “For one day, your wish will come true.”
When I awoke, I heard sounds of great glee
My folks were all laughing over a stocking for me;
Kong toys and rawhides, squeak toys and more
With presents for everyone spread over the floor.
The ferret, the hamster, the bird and the fish
Got new ! toys and food, a cage or a dish;
We got lots of attention and every need met
And gift certificates for our favorite vet.
In fact, we had so much, we wanted to share;
So my folks called a Rescue to check with them there;
They learned, to the shelter’s surprise and delight,
Every animal’s lack had been made all right.
New beds, bowls of food, and toys everywhere
Someone must have come and spent the night there;
The infirm seemed younger; the sick were now well
And, whatever had happened, no one could tell.
Without making a sound, with no one in sight,
A miracle had happened during the night!
Oh, why can’t it be like that every day
With every pet wanted and no such thing as a stray?
The Spirit of Christmas is alive in each heart
Through Loving and Giving we can all impart
The Christmas Spirit every day of the year
And make Miracles happen, like the one told of here.
“Until one has loved an animal,
a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”.
author ~ Anatole France
Ridgeback’s 12 Days of Christmas
By Elise Lewis. www.RidgebackRescue.org
On the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses
And I forgot all about the other eleven days.
