[CT-NFB] x mas , new year poem

Sun Dec 31 17:08:06 UTC 2023

Beth,
I also love this poem.  Thank you.
Mary

On Sat, Dec 30, 2023 at 4:18 PM Deb Reed via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> I love this poem, Beth! I am sharing it with all the dog lovers in my
> life. Happy New Year’s to you, Charlie, and family.
> Sincerely,
>
> Deb Reed
>
> Central CT Chapter President of the National Federation of the Blind
> Deb.reed57 at gmail.com
> Cell-860-378-5370
>
> Blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
>
>
> On Dec 30, 2023, at 2:57 PM, Nathanael T. Wales via CT-NFB <
> ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Beth,
>
>
>
> Thank you for sharing! How creative, witty, and full of love.
>
>
>
> Happy 6th day of Christmas!
>
> Nathanael
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* CT-NFB [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] *On Behalf Of *Elizabeth
> Rival via CT-NFB
> *Sent:* Friday, December 29, 2023 5:35 PM
> *To:* 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'; llee at nfbct.org; 'BEVERLY
> POLGROSZEK'; 'Kim'; 'mandy bernt >'; 'William Shields'
> *Cc:* Elizabeth Rival
> *Subject:* [CT-NFB] x mas , new year poem
>
>
>
> This was written by a guide dog handler.
>
>
>
>
>
> Christmas Poetry
>
>
>
> 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
>
> Copyright C 1996 Jenine Stanley
>
> 'Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still, with most
> dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.
>
> The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds, while visions of
> ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.
>
> And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor, some twitched in
> their sleep and some even did snore.
>
> The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care, in hopes that a
> trainer soon would be there.
>
> On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay, surveying the lawn at the
> end of this day.
>
> Something was different, that little cat knew.
>
> Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.
>
> For that day as the workers had left to go home, They'd wished Merry
> Christmas! before starting to roam.
>
> The dogs had noticed it to during this past week's walks, the trainers
> seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.
>
> In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores, there
> were decorations and music and distractions galore!
>
> Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear, but some balked at the man
> on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.
>
> The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the sound, a whoosh through
> the air and a jingle around.
>
> It reminded him of a dog's collar when the animal shook, but this sound
> kept on growing. He'd better go look.
>
> >From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk,
>
> as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk.
>
> Once before people had worked on the roof, and come down through the trap
> door to a chorus of "Woooof!"
>
> But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound, as this man dressed
> in red made his way right on down.
>
> He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot, then made his way right to
> the trainers' coffee pot.
>
> A shepherd sat up, not fully awake,
>
> then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake.
>
> That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise.
>
> In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.
>
> He filled the pot full and it started to brew, then he pulled up a chair
> and took in the view.
>
> Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,
>
> he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led.
>
> Some had stopped barking and looked at him now, while others delighted in
> their own deafening howl.
>
> Laying a finger in front of his lips,
>
> the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips.
>
> "You all may not know me, but I'm Santa Claus,"
>
> the old man smiled and took a short pause, While he filled up his mug with
> hot liquid and cream, "I've always wanted to stop here. It's been one of my
> dreams."
>
> The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa's sack.
>
> "Yes, little kitty, that's an empty pack."
>
> Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes, deep brown ones and
> gold ones held wide in surprise.
>
> Some of these dogs, he'd seen just last year, He'd seen the effects of a
> pup on the tree, but now they were here at the school, just waiting to be.
>
> "I didn't bring you presents or bones just to chew.
>
> I'll tell you something better, what you are going to do."
>
> "You all will work hard and the trainers will share, both praise and
> correction, gentle and fair."
>
> "You'll go lots of places and face big scary things.
>
> You'll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring."
>
> "Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong, not moving into danger,
> not moving toward wrong."
>
> "And then just when you think that this trainer's the best, the kindest,
> and funnest person, toss away all the rest,"
>
> "That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away, handing your
> leash over despite your dismay."
>
> "Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be a blind person. That's
> a person who can't see."
>
> " This man or this woman may see just a tad, but their view's missing
> parts or the focus is bad."
>
> "So you, well trained dogs, will act as their eyes.
>
> You will work as a team and discover the size"
>
> "Of this great world we live in, because you will go a million new places
> with this person, you know."
>
> Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood, knowing what he had
> to say next might sound kind of rude.
>
> "Not all of you will make it and become canine guides.
>
> Your time here isn't wasted though. You won't be cast aside."
>
> "Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs.
>
> Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom."
>
> "All these things are important. People wait on long lists, to receive
> such good dogs as you, the school folks insist."
>
> The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup as Santa turned, smiling at
> each wide eyed pup.
>
> "The best gift of all is to give something back.
>
> That's why there's nothing for you all inside of my pack."
>
> Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen, and petted and scratched each
> dog again and again.
>
> "Now next year and many more years after that, you all will give gifts
> wherever you're at."
>
> "You might lick a hand that's had a bad day, Or notice a car and step out
> of the way."
>
> "You might help catch a crook or discover some loot, Or just bring some
> joy to a tired old man in a funny red suit."
>
> "Your master will love you and treat you with care.
>
> In return, your training and trust will always be there."
>
> After the last dog had been petted and soothed, Santa put away the coffee
> pot and made ready to move.
>
> Up the ladder he rose to the door high above, with a smile and a wave as
> he slipped on his gloves.
>
> And all the dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight.
>
> "merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"
>
>
>
>
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