[Cagdu] FW: GUIDE DOGS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Thu Dec 18 13:25:47 PST 2008

Juliet,
I thought this is really cute. You and Peter have a great holiday and new year.

Leaner and Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: Juliett Cody <julietcody at cox.net>
To: cagdu at nfbcal.org
Sent: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 5:51 pm
Subject: Re: [Cagdu] FW: GUIDE DOGS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Thanks Nina.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: 
  tina thomas 

To: cagdu at nfbcal.org 

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:24 
  AM

Subject: [Cagdu] FW: GUIDE DOGS NIGHT 
  BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Hi 
  Everyone- 

This is Nina and my 
  mom and I wanted to send all the cagduers our favorite  Christmas 
  poem. 

Merry 
  Christmas doggies and mons and dads 
  too. 

Guide dog Nina and mom 
  Tina    

 Subject: GUIDE DOGS 
  NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

guide Dogs' Night Before Christmas.

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.

sthe 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 decoration 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.0A
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)

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