It was the night before Christmas when all thru the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.
The children all nestled snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head.
And mom in her kerchief and I in my cap
Knew the dog 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 night on 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 his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present now painfully 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 will be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa had made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing 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 explain as he rode out of sight,
You weren't given a gift, you were given a life."

I wonder how many poor pups and kittens will be left out in the cold this year:(

how many managed to read all the way through that without tears?It wants pasting on the foreheads of the thoughtless peoplewho treat dogs as"things".

Oh dear, I seem to have developed leaky eye syndrome, I've read that before but it makes me leak every time.

that is so good. and yes it brought tears to me eyes.

Sadly so true

Kenya, did you write this and if not, please can you tell me who did

Someone emailed me it!