[nfbmi-talk] Guide Dogs Night Before Christmas

larry d keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Sat Dec 12 03:39:34 UTC 2015


Thanks, I used to have this thing but lost it when my computer crashed! 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Terry
D. Eagle via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2015 9:18 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Cc: Terry D. Eagle
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Guide Dogs Night Before Christmas

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!"

_______________________________________________
nfbmi-talk mailing list
nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfbmi-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/lkeeler%40comcast.ne
t





More information about the NFBMI-Talk mailing list