Christmas Eve

The Chained Dog Life Poem

The Door 

By Brandy Herr 

It’s cold outside. 

I would like to come in 

And curl up by the fire, 

Snuggled next to my friend. 

Please open the door. 

My friend is so young. 

He’s only ten years old. 

He doesn’t understand 

Why I’m out here in the cold. 

Please open the door. 

The collar I wear 

Is getting too tight. 

What shelter I have 

Won’t help much through the night. 

Please open the door. 

I wish I could play 

And run and be free. 

Instead I am tied 

To this sad, lonely tree. 

Please open the door. 

The rocks under my feet 

Cause my paws to be sore. 

How I long for the feel 

Of a carpeted floor. 

Please open the door. 

Why did you get me 

If you don’t want me to be 

Inside your home, 

Part of your family? 

Please open the door. 

I can give so much love, 

Companionship, and more, 

If you’ll let me into your heart. 

Please open the door.

Please Don't Just Chain Your Dog Outdoors And Leave It There!

A Chained Dog Is Not A Lawn Ornament It Is A Living Being! 

A Chained Dog Is Not A Guard Dog It's A Dead Dog! 

If Life Is Precious To You, Think About A Animal's Life Too.

A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem

‘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 cute, 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 the 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 errors THEY made.

If only they’d trained us, if only we knew…
We’d have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse – let 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 the 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 get us something special to eat.

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

Author – Anonymous

This Christmas, donate to your local shelter and make a shelter dog’s dreams come true.

Twas the Night Before Christmas: Chained Dog Version

'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Chained Dog Version

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, With no thought of the dog filling their head. And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Knew he was cold, but didn't care about 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 midday to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears. He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick, Last years Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick. More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name. And the dog ran to him, 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'll be loved by all" I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year, For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear, The gift of a dog is not just for the season, We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons. In our haste to think of getting the kids a gift There was one important thing that we missed. A dog should be family, and cared for the same You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain. And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight, "You weren't given a gift! You were given a life!" —Author Unknown