[Nfbc-info] Guide Dogs Night Before Christmas

[Frida Aizenman]

Nancy,
That was very cute.
Here is another one:
     Frida
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/twas%20the%20night%20before%20christmas.mp3

On 12/10/2015 7:44 PM, Nancy Lynn via Nfbc-info wrote:
> Guide Dogs’ Night Before Christmas
> Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still, with most dogs asleep
> having eaten their fill.
> The Labs were sprawled out, quite snug in their beds, while visions of NylaBones
> danced in their heads.
> The Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor – some twitched in their sleep,
> some started to snore.
> The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care, in hopes that a trainer may
> soon would be there.
> While up near the window a kennel cat lay, surveying the lawn at the end of his day.
> Tonight would be different, that little cat knew. Something special would happen,
> it had to be true.
> For today as the workers departed to roam, they’d wished Merry Christmas before going
> home.
> The dogs noticed it too in this past week of walks – the trainers so happy and eager
> to talk.
> In the mall where they worked through the mazes of stores, were lights, decorations,
> distractions galore!
> Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear, but some barked at the sleigh and
> the fake looking deer.
> The cat, almost asleep when he first heard the sound, a whoosh through the air and
> a jingle around.
> German Shepherds Pewter, Rachel, Kayla and Este pose in front of their Christmas tree.
> Like a dog’s collar makes when the animal shook, but the sound kept on growing.
> He’d better go look.
>  From up on the ceiling there came a faint thunk, as the kennel cat climbed on a high
> pile of junk.
> When before he’d known people to work on the roof, they’d come down the trap door
> to a chorus of woof!
> 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, e’r he climbed past his spot, then made his way to a hot coffee
> pot.
> A shepherd sat up, not fully awake, and a Golden retriever arose with a shake!
> Soon everyone sprang to their paws with loud noise. In spite of the din, the old
> elf kept his poise.
> The pot was plum full of his favorite brew, so he pulled up a chair and took in the
> view.
> The 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 rejoiced in their deafening
> howl.
> Laying a finger in front of his lips, the man bade them cease their excitable yips.
> “You all may not know me, but I’m Santa Claus.”
> He then stopped and smiled and took a short pause, while he filled up his mug with
> hot liquid and cream. “I’ve long wanted to stop here. It’s been one of my dreams.”
> The cat had climbed down to explore 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 pup homes, 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.
> Yellow Labs Ardsley and Amity in front of the Rockefeller Center tree
> “I didn’t bring presents or bones just to chew. I’ll say something better, what
> you’re going to do.
> You’ll all work real hard and the trainers will share both praise and correction,
> gentle and fair.
> You’ll go lots of places and face 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 toward 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 one who will pet you and feed you will be, a blind person, someone 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’d say next
> might sound kind of rude.
> “Not all will go on to become canine guides. But your time won’t be wasted. You won’t
> be cast aside.
> Some will be drug dogs and some will find bombs. Some will be 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 broadly at
> each wide eyed pup.
> “The best gift of all is to give something back. That’s why there’s nothing for any
> of you inside 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.
> Yellow Lab Doris and black Lab Macbeth pose with Santa Claus
> You might help catch a crook or discover some loot, or 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 ears were pricked as he flew out of sight. “Merry Christmas to all, and to
> all a good night!”
> (Author Unknown)
>
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