[NFB-Krafters-Korner] For those Guide Dog users

[blindhands at aol.com]

Good morning!

Happy holidays to all that celebrate! I hope you enjoy this twist to "The
Night Before Christmas" that I came across on Facebook.

 

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS- GUIDE DOG EDITION 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 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!" ,

 

-- 

Best regards,
Isabel Rosario
Co-chair|NABS Legislative & Self Advocacy Committee
President| Connecticut Association of Blind Students
President| Connecticut Association of Guide Dog Users
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
www.nfbct.org <http://www.nfbct.org> 
Check out my podcast:https://anchor.fm/brizzys-perspective
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