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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thanks Tina!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Love,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>JC and M </FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=tinadt@sbcglobal.net href="mailto:tinadt@sbcglobal.net">tina thomas
</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=cagdu@nfbcal.org
href="mailto:cagdu@nfbcal.org">cagdu@nfbcal.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, December 07, 2009 9:07
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Cagdu] FW: How the guide dog
stole Christmas</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>Subject:</B> How the guide
dog stole Christmas<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<CENTER>Copyright © 2000, Jenine Stanley</CENTER>
<P>All the Whoos down in Whooville liked Christmas a lot, But one canine
called Guide Dog certainly did not. He did not like the fuss of the holiday
season. Nobody knew why or just what the reason. It could be that his tail
wasn't screwed on just right, Or maybe his collar was just a bit tight. It
seems though that the true cause of it all, Was that his harness was two sizes
too small! Whatever the reason, whatever the cause, The Guide Dog hated
Christmas with all four of his paws! He hated the Whoos and their silly
bobbles and lights, Their strange decorations and elves dressed in tights. He
loathed their gift wrapping with ribbons and bows! He abhorred the tinsel and
sprinkles that tickled his nose! Then there was the food they left lying
about, All those munchies and crunchies bought in massive amounts. There were
peppermint swirls and plum cakes made with yeast, Cookies and FooFoos, and
tons of roast beast. It all sat out there for the Guide Dog to see, But he
could not have any! Not one bite you see. But the worst thing the Whoos did at
this time of year, The thing that he dreaded whenever he'd hear, Was the great
din those Whoos made when playing with toys. Oh but it wasn't just that!
Everywhere there was noise! Noise, noise, noise noise! >From the tall to
the small, Every Whoo made some noise, every one of them all! Little Whoos
shouted and tooted and whooped! Senior citizen Whoos grumbled and groused as
they stooped! Their Whoo cars honked loudly out there in the street! And the
cackle of Whoo laughter went up every time they would meet! The Guide dog
could not escape all this horrifically sound. There simply was no quiet place
to be found! >From his bed he could hear them, with their Whoo bells they'd
ring. But the worst part of all was when grown up Whoos tried to sing! They
would hum or they'd whistle or screech out a song. Some would sing way off key
or hold notes far too long. For some, louder was better; their tones quite
absurd. "Give it up!" growled the Guide Dog. "Those aren't the right words!"
The Guide Dog looked down upon Whooville one day, Tolerating this tumult he
could not do, no way! So he gave a great shake and fur flew as he thought How
can I stop this? How can Christmas be not? Then the Guide dog took a paw
through his mail, Bills, bills, junk, bills and more junk, it never did fail.
And there in the stack was another reminder, Another good bit for the Guide
Dog's paper grinder! In a bright envelop was a glossy red card, The image on
which the Guide Dog studied hard. An adorable puppy in harness sat there, With
large liquid brown eyes it did sappily stare. "How precious," smeared the
Guide Dog at the cuddly pup. "I suppose this will get those Whoos to give up
Some of their hard earned money to that guide dog school. Oh, if you only knew
what you were in for, you fuzzy fool." Just then an idea popped into his head!
Why fight Christmas? Why not try to steal it instead? If the Whoos would give
money, what else could he get? Could he take away Christmas? You certainly
bet! So that Guide Dog set out to make himself look As adorable and engaging
as those dog guides in books. He dyed his dog fur to a fashionable hew And
made his pointy ears hang down like a cute dog guide's do. 'Round his neck he
secured a large bright red bow, And a full set of sleigh bells on his harness
did go. Then that Guide Dog did practice a wide goofy grin, He plumped up his
muzzle and drooled on his chin. Lastly he worked out how to waggle his tail To
look silly and harmless and charm without fail. His costume complete, the
Guide Dog set out Very late Christmas Eve when no Whoos were about. He made
his way from this house to that Being sure to reek havoc each place he stopped
at. With a swipe of his tail, decorations were smashed! His paws made quick
work of the gift wrap, now trashed! The Whoo presents came open just to shred
with his teeth And he even destroyed their lovely Whoo wreath. Into their
kitchens the Guide Dog next went, Cleaned the counters, the pantry, and then
down he bent. With a loud sloppy shlurp he drank the Whoos' Christmas punch.
Then considered some cookies upon which to munch. As you can only imagine what
goes in must come out. This was part of the plan though and lying about Were
piles and piles of odorous stuff, Ruining more decorations, but that wasn't
enough! At each house, the Guide Dog did tiptoe upstairs And onto the Whoos'
best clothing he shed many hairs. He slobbered on Mother Whoo's silk blouse
and chewed on Father Whoo's tie. He hid one of each child's socks though he
didn't know why. The Guide Dog fought to hide the smile on his lips. Those
Whoos would have no Christmas! They were up to their hips In ruined
belongings, without any food! "My, I'm clever, a doggie quite good!" His last
stop nearly finished, his work nearly done, The Guide Dog was joyous and
having great fun. After eating and swilling Whoo cookies and Whoo wine, A
place to relieve he quickly needed to find! What better spot than that Whoo
Christmas tree! But as he lifted one leg, he heard a sound, wee. Tiny Whoo
footsteps on soft slippered toes, Brought a tiny Whoo child with a small
button nose. She stood near the sofa and listened with care, Then she stepped
cautiously forward and asked him "Who's there?" The Guide Dog could tell as
she moved through the room, That this child could not see him by the tree
where he loomed. Her eyes did not move as she came right up to touch The tip
of his nose, then she giggled so much. "Oh my,"she whispered as her fingers
explored his thick fur "What a beautiful puppy you are." Then the dog said to
her, "Uhm, yes Little Whoo, now you'd best run along. Santa Klaus will soon be
here if I am not wrong." The Guide Dog moved slightly and his harness bells
shook. Then the wee Whoo girl bent close for a look. Her smile grew enormously
wide as her hands felt the gear, The straps and the buckles and handle so
near. "You are a dog guide." She uttered with pride. "You are specially
trained to walk by my side. I've read all about you in school." Noted she.
"And when I grow up, a dog like you will help me to see." The Guide Dog
understood now. For a moment he paused. "Good for you Little One, but it's
bedtime now, because Santa will come soon and he'll want you asleep, Tucked up
in your bedroom without even a peep." There were no words exchanged as they
stood there, those two. The girl took the harness handle and the dog knew what
to do. He walked very carefully as she followed beside, Past the broken
decorations and messes that he could not hide, But she never noticed. If she
did, would she care? It was much more important to have this dog there. With a
gentle move right and a walk down the hall, The Guide Dog did take her past
things great and small. She kissed his cold nose, "You're a very good pup."
Then he gave her a shlurp to the face and sent her on up. That little Whoo
toddled upstairs as he stifled a tear. The Guide Dog knew though he must be
out of here! After shorting out the Whoos' lights with one lift of his leg, He
started for home, for his own bed he did beg. As the sun rose that morning,
the Guide Dog stretched with a smile. Narry a sound could be heard for a mile!
No Whoos tooting honkers, no Whoos tweeting horns! No Whoos clanking clackers!
No Whoos popping corn! And best of all, no Whoo voices singing those hideous
songs! No Whoos, but wait, could the Guide Dog be wrong? Far far away through
the chill morning air, A tiny Whoo voice sang, bright and clear without care.
Oh, some Whoos were astonished when they awoke to the mess. Some Whoos
complained loudly and some did profess. But the little Whoo girl did not pay
them much heed. Her Christmas gift had not been ruined indeed. She sang out so
loudly of what she had done. She'd walked with a dog guide! It had been great
fun! Soon her happy spirit caught everyone's ear, And filled all the Whoos
with holiday cheer. The sound drifted high up to the Guide Dog's warm bed. It
wasn't a bad sound, but a sweet one instead. The Guide Dog did wonder as he
sat up and yawned, How could those Whoos be festive as Christmas Day dawned?
They had no presents, no grand Christmas meal, No lights and no tree and no
clothes to appeal. But they all kept on singing, with that one little tot. The
Guide Dog then saw just what they'd all got. It is true of that Christmas in
Whooville they say, That the Guide Dog's harness grew three sizes bigger that
day! For he learned that Christmas doesn't come from a store. It comes from us
giving ourselves and much more. </P></DIV>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>No virus found in this incoming message.<BR>Checked
by AVG - www.avg.com<BR>Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.96/2549 -
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