[NAGDU] A Guide Dog's Night Before Christmas
Terri
terri at lasertune.com
Sat Dec 18 22:05:27 UTC 2021
Thankz so much!! My girl is a lab but i know All of our guides are incredible gifts,
Can't leave any of them out!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Terri and julie❤️🦮❤️🎄
Sent from myMail for iOS
Thursday, December 16, 2021, 7:05 AM -0800 from nagdu at nfbnet.org <nagdu at nfbnet.org>:
>It's a classic! So glad you wrote it.
>Tracy
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley via NAGDU
>Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 9:16 AM
>To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>Cc: Jenine Stanley
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] A Guide Dog's Night Before Christmas
>
>Thanks Tracy,
>
>Yikes, can’t believe it’s been 25 years since I wrote that.
>
>
>> On Dec 16, 2021, at 8:16 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU < nagdu at nfbnet.org > wrote:
>>
>> Yes. I'll paste the original, since you asked. I prefer it, really. Labradors with visions of anything edible dancing in their heads, oh yeah!
>> Tracy
>>
>> 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
>>
>> Copyright 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 decoration 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)
>> Jenine Stanley
>>
>>
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