‘Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
the shelters are full – we are lost, but not found.
Our names 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 for 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”, or “climb over the wall”.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of mistakes that 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…
They said “Maybe someone 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,
But with so many to care for, they can’t stay long 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?
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.
– Author Unknown
Think about helping them this holiday season. It isn’t too late. There’s a shelter near you that can use your help.