[nagdu] 'Twas the night before Christmas poem

[Cindy Ray]

I didn't read this when it was first sent, but it is pretty cool. Ginger, you are right. Jenine should receive credit for it. Jenine, that is a cool poem, and you should send us another.

CL

On Dec 20, 2013, at 6:11 PM, "Ginger Kutsch" <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Thanks William, I love this poem. The author of that Christmas poem is not
> "unknown" though. It was written in 1999 by Jenine Stanley. She's written
> several holiday poems...perhaps she will share another one with the list?
> Anyway, it's an excellent piece and it's a shame that this poem gets sent
> around every year without giving her proper credit.
> Best,
> Ginger
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William
> Vandervest
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:24 PM
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] {Disarmed} Fw: [leader-dogs-l] 'Twas The Night Before
> Christmas LD Version
> 
> 
> There are none so blind as those who will not see
> 
> William and LD Lynard
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Alan Paganelli
> To: blind-chit-chat at yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 1:16 PM
> Subject: [leader-dogs-l] 'Twas The Night Before Christmas LD Version
> 
> 
> 
> 
> '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 too 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 too 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, in their puppy homes, cute and
> full of holiday cheer.
> 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!"
> (Author Unknown)
> 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Alan
> 
> Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!
> 
> Teenagers; Tired of being harassed by your stupid parents?  Act now!!!!!
> Move out.  Get a job.  Pay your bills wile you still know everything.
> 
> Please click on: 
> HTTP://WWW.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/
> There, you'll find free files of my arrangements and performances played on
> the Yamaha Tyros 1 keyboard.  The albums in Technics  format formerly on my
> website are still available upon request.  Thanks for listening!
> 
> 
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