Have you heard The Forgotten Dog's Christmas story?

Question

'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 un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick 
Last year's 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, 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 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

ProudPibbleMomma · Accepted Answer

Oh this is wonderful! If we all post this on the many sites that we frequent, maybe we can make a difference in the life of a pet this holiday season. :-)

pepper · Answer

Thank you for posting this very touching poem.  It's the perfect time to remind people that a dog is not an outdoor fixture or an accessory.  He asks for so little, some food, some exercise and a little love.

sedlay · Answer

My daughter has a Boston Terrier named Austin, He replaced right into a modern addition to our residing house already housing 8 different canines (a million woman Rottweiler and 7male German Shepherds). Austin has taken a liking to the Rott (approximately 10x his length) and might persist along with her around all the time. i think of he fancies himself as her boyfriend cos he might chase the different canines away in the event that they get everywhere close to her. it fairly is exciting to work out a 10lb malicious program eyed lap dogs chasing ninety-100lb Schutzhund/risk-free practices experienced GSDs. they seem greater perplexed than annnoyed or indignant at him. He might sit down by using her whilst she is slumbering, on occasion falling asleep himself. He won't consume till she finishes cos he's often guarding her. whilst she got here into warmth, she replaced into separated from something different than him. He replaced into the only male dogs allowed to be close to her cos we knew it replaced into in simple terms no longer likely to take place. yet that did no longer give up the undesirable guy from attempting besides. i think of Roobi the Rott likes him too cos now they actually sleep at the same time and spend a number of of time fidgeting with and grooming one yet another.

Loves Dogs · Answer

Gosh that was SO good I have tears in my eyes! Thank you SO much for sharing. I'm going to keep the story going and share it with others. Thank you!

Yo LO! Aussie Grins · Answer

I hope everyone that wants a puppy for Christmas sees this and takes it to heart!

To answer your question - No I haven't heard that before ;-)

Freckles... · Answer

I love that I wish that all families would read and pay attention to the message.

Amanda · Answer

Wow that gave me the chills! Very heartbreaking - thanks for posting it, maybe it will keep at least a few pups from being bought as presents this year =)

ernst v · Answer

no,I had not heard the forgotten dog story,or if I had,I had forgotten it.However,I think it is a story anybody getting a dog should read first

Mir · Answer

Very beautifull ! Hope people will learn something from this.

Rachel-Pit Police-DSMG · Answer

Wow. What a powerful poem with a great moral. Thanks so much for the post.

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Have you heard The Forgotten Dog's Christmas story?

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