[nfbmi-talk] FW: [nagdu] {Disarmed} Fw: [leader-dogs-l] 'Twas The Night BeforeChristmas LD Version

Mary Wurtzel marywurtzel at att.net
Sat Dec 21 00:23:16 UTC 2013



-----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
BeforeChristmas 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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