Remember Your Pets At Christmas

This was sent in by one of ourvolunteers and seems most appropriate for the holidays. A holiday message from your Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Inc.

FORGOTTEN DOG'S CHRISTMAS

Author unknown

Twas the nite before Christmas when all thru the house

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.

The children all nestled all snug in their beds

Not a thought of the dog was filling their heads.

And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap

Left the dog in the cold, but thought nothing of that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But Santa Claus with his eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog once so lively and quick

Last year's Christmas present now painfully sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name

and the dog ran to him quickly despite all his pain.

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall

Let's find this dog a home where he will be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year

For Santa had made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a pet is not just for the season

We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of a gift for the kids

There was one important thing we missed

A pet should be family, and cared for the same

You don't give a gift that you tie to a chain.

And I heard Santa explain as he rode out of sight...

"You weren't given a gift, you were given a life."

Please give careful and serious thought to the adoption of a pet this holiday season. It can be the greatest gift of all, but remember is it a loving, feeling, tender life.

This tender lifewill depend upon you for it's care and safety.

You will be rewarded with all of its love,affection and devotion.