Summer 2000

Christmas Gift 

All of us at Gladesville Veterinary Hospital take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

This poem, sent to us by one of our clients, reflects our concern with regards to pets given as Christmas gifts.

‘Twas the night before Xmas, when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In the 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 with Mumma & I all snug and warm

We gave no thought of the dog out in the storm.

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Thinking the dog free of the chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the luster of midday to the 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 year’s Christmas present, now so 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 doggie a home where he’ll be loved by all"

I knew in that instant there would be no gifts this year,

For Santa Clause had made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a dog is not just for the season.

We had gotten the pup for the wrong reason.

(In our haste to think for 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 loudly as he rode out of sight,

"You weren’t giving a gift. You were giving a life by right!"

 

Author unknown.