Schnauzer Puppies

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 heads,
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 my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But jolly old Santa-with eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name,
And it ran to him quickly despite all its pain.

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXON!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on DONER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
I’ll find him 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 a pup for all the wrong reasons.

We had chosen the pet with a great deal of haste,
Then thrown him outside as though he were waste.
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 giving a gift! You were giving a life!"