A Guide Dog Christmas
I received this on a German Shepherd Forum. It's not RV-related, but 'tis the season, and I enjoyed it and wanted to share:
>A Guide Dog 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.
>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)
Merry Christmas, everyone!
>A Guide Dog 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.
>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)
Merry Christmas, everyone!
