Andrea Rosebrock 
Generally I love the holidays and Christmas is always special, filled with memories of years gone by but every year there is one thing I dread; knowing that a few months after Christmas, many, many or those adorable puppies and kittens that were met with such joy and delight under the Christmas tree will grace the cold concrete cells of local animal shelters. Too ofte people get pets as a whim with little thought given to the time, energy and effort it takes. For many of us, it is a labor of love, for too many others it is just a labor and when that labor is more than they want to deal with,, they heartlessly and thoughtlessly shuttle what once adored furbaby off, often to its death…. think….
This is one of several pieces that I share every year and will continue to share as long as I write…
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”
Oh D., everytime I read that poem, it brings tears to my eyes, because I know, January and February are going to be busy rescue months for all of us.
I too, wish that people would consider the commitment of being a pet parent. Yes, all puppies and kittens are cute little furballs, but, they do grow up – they get big, they need training, they need love and affection. Being a pet parent is something a family should discuss, and not have as a surprise under the Christmas tree.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful message, but I think most of us know this, and this message should be posted worldwide, so we don’t have to see these little ones at the shelters come 2010.
This is lovely, so sad and true. Thanks for sharing it with us, although it made me cry.
SO GREAT thanks for sharing as well as the two great links. Hopefully the great members in the blog will print out, make copies and share. Last year I printed a bunch out and handed them out, outside the local puppy and kitten Christmas Pet Sale Pet Store at one of the local malls Until I was told to leave of course. Malls are considered private not public property. So I just moved to the sidewalk outside…..LOL. There are more ways than one to be The Power of One.
This is my creative approach to posting notices and you wont ever get caught. Go into public restrooms (target, Pet stores, Airports, hospitals, dog show indoor events, Malls) and go into each stall one by one. Using tape, post your notice on the inside of each stall door and proceed to the next one………You will have such gratification!!!!
Place newsletters and flyers at hospital and dr office waiting rooms. They always need new literature
Doglover, I love your idea! I might just do that the next time I am out!