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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>This was written by a guide dog handler. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Christmas Poetry<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Copyright C 1996 Jenine Stanley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>'Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still, with most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds, while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor, some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care, in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay, surveying the lawn at the end of this day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Something was different, that little cat knew.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>For that day as the workers had left to go home, They'd wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The dogs had noticed it to during this past week's walks, the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores, there were decorations and music and distractions galore!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear, but some balked at the man on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the sound, a whoosh through the air and a jingle around.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It reminded him of a dog's collar when the animal shook, but this sound kept on growing. He'd better go look.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>>From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Once before people had worked on the roof, and come down through the trap door to a chorus of "Woooof!"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound, as this man dressed in red made his way right on down.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot, then made his way right to the trainers' coffee pot.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A shepherd sat up, not fully awake,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He filled the pot full and it started to brew, then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Some had stopped barking and looked at him now, while others delighted in their own deafening howl.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Laying a finger in front of his lips,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"You all may not know me, but I'm Santa Claus,"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa's sack.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Yes, little kitty, that's an empty pack."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes, deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in surprise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"I didn't bring you presents or bones just to chew.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I'll tell you something better, what you are going to do."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"You all will work hard and the trainers will share, both praise and correction, gentle and fair."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"You'll go lots of places and face big scary things.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You'll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong, not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"And then just when you think that this trainer's the best, the kindest, and funnest person, toss away all the rest,"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away, handing your leash over despite your dismay."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be a blind person. That's a person who can't see."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>" This man or this woman may see just a tad, but their view's missing parts or the focus is bad."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"So you, well trained dogs, will act as their eyes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You will work as a team and discover the size"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Of this great world we live in, because you will go a million new places with this person, you know."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood, knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Not all of you will make it and become canine guides.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Your time here isn't wasted though. You won't be cast aside."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"All these things are important. People wait on long lists, to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks insist."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup as Santa turned, smiling at each wide eyed pup.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"The best gift of all is to give something back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>That's why there's nothing for you all inside of my pack."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen, and petted and scratched each dog again and again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Now next year and many more years after that, you all will give gifts wherever you're at."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"You might lick a hand that's had a bad day, Or notice a car and step out of the way."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"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."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Your master will love you and treat you with care.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In return, your training and trust will always be there."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After the last dog had been petted and soothed, Santa put away the coffee pot and made ready to move.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Up the ladder he rose to the door high above, with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>And all the dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>