'Tis the night before Christmas
and all through the town,
every shelter is full ~ we are
lost but not found.

Our numbers are hung on our
kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that
someone will care.

They'll come to adopt us and
give us the call,
"come here, Max and Sparkie ~ come
fetch your new ball!"

But now we sit here and think
of the days.....
we were treated so fondly ~ we
had baby ways.

Once we were little, then we
grew and we grew ~
now we're no longer young, and
we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were
thrown like trash,
they reacted so quickly ~ why
were they so rash?

We "jump on the children," "don't
come when they call",
we "bark when they leave us,"
"climb over the wall."

We should have been neutered, we
should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of
the error they made.

If only they'd trained us, if
only we knew.....
we'd have done what they asked us
and worshipped them too.

We were left in the back yard, or
worse ~ left to roam....
now we're tired and lonely and
out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they
kissed us good-bye....
"Maybe someone else will give
you a try."

So now here we are, all
confused and alone........
in a shelter with others who
long for a home.

The kind workers come through
with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they
can't stay to chat.

They move to the next kennel,
giving each of us cheer....
we know that they wonder how
long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet
dreams fill our heads....
of a home filled with love and
our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes,
brimming with tears ~
our friends filled with
emptiness, worry and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's
no room at your inn ~
could you help with the bills
and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each
day of the year ~
can you give more than hope to
everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay
for the heat......
and help us get something
special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us
wants us to live,
and more or us will, if more
people give.

Author Unknown