Christmas Returns Author Unknown

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Santa comes quietly long before dawn
While 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...

'twas The Night Before Christmas

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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 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 of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now painfully 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, 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 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 giving a gift! You were giving a life!"

Author Unknown

An Old Dog's Christmas Wish...

`Twas the night before Christmas and all through the pound,
Not a creature was stirring, except one lonely old hound.
The shelter was decorated in bright holiday trim,
As poor old Jake waited on a visit from Him.

All of Jake's friends had found a new home,
Except for old Jake, all cold and alone.
But Jake knew it was Christmas, the holiday season.
He hoped his friends were placed for all the right reasons.

He had seen it before, the holiday gift.
A new dog at Christmas, it gave everyone a lift.
But a dog isn't a gift, it's a lifetime commitment.
Some people don't realize that, and it ends in resentment.

The dog that on Christmas, brought so much joy,
Ends up tossed aside, like an old worn-out toy.
The dog becomes a problem; they don't want it around,
And the poor Christmas pup ends up back in the pound.

So Jake wished the best for all of his friends.
Would he see them again, he guessed it just depends.
If all of the families were worthy of a dog's undying love,
The next time he saw his friends, it would be up above.

But if they came back, ending up in the pound,
He would see them again, unless Santa came around.
For Jake's Christmas wish was a home of his own,
With more happiness and love than Jake had ever known.

But the night grew colder and Santa never came.
Who would want an old dog anyway, all crippled and lame.
So Jake closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
It was a good nap, all peaceful and deep.

Jake didn't wake up that Christmas Eve night,
But he had found his new home. It would be alright.
For Jake's Christmas wish had finally come true.
He had found a forever home, where he was loved. He knew.

Jake had been a gift that Christmas Eve night.
He was given to someone with Power and Might.
A dog fit for the King, all noble and regal.
Jake was finally at home, and one happy little beagle.

Outstanding!!! There so well put together, but make me sooooo sad!!