Andrea Rosebrock 
Last Years Christmas Present
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 outside filling their head.
And mamma 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 and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus – his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now thin and 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 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 giving the kids a gift
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 given a gift! You were given a life!”
—Author Unknown
Read and think about this! Pass it along to anyone and everyone you know. If you want a little more information, read “Reconsider Thinking About Pets as Christmas Gifts” and “Live Gifts – Instructions Not Included”
I hope people read this and really think before impulsively getting a pet for Christmas. It's really not the best time to bring a pet into the house either, with all the hubub of the holidays. A new pet needs all your attention and some quiet which is hard to do at Christmas. Good post.
I agree with Chris. This should be posted everywhere, and even stuck up in "pet stores" so that no animal be left out in the cold to fend for himself.
great idea, Susie. PETS SHOULD B FAMILY
One of my favorites!! I hope it causes people to stop and think about what they are doing when they give a pet as a gift. I wonder how many will still give pets as gifts and how many of them we will be able to rescue from the shelter once they are dumped in March.Thanks Deana
So many people today see the "hollywood" group with their little purse dogs, and never think twice about getting their kids a dog. Either the people are stupid or just plain dumb, thinking a dog can care for itself. My grown kids tell people that I treat the dogs better than I treated them growing up. Not true tho – they were taught to grow into honest adults. My dogs are honest sweet dogs, but cannot do the dishes or cook a meal. And they never ask for the keys to the car or money for a date! I just hope after the holidays are over and these people see that a dog is work, that they don't just dump them at the shelter. It breaks my heart to have to transport these little Christmas babies.
LIVING IN THE REDNECK STATE OF ARKANSAS………I THINK I WILL COPY THIS POEM AND SEND TO THE EDITOR OR OUR LOCAL PAPER AND HOPE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN MY STATE.
Caro, we know that far too many people still don't get the message and far too many will be sitting in the shelter after the new year. Too sad
Will people never learn that living creatures are not "toys"?