'Twas the night before Christmas when all thru 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 the dog 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 lustre of mid-day 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 year's Christmas present now painfully 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 will be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa had made one thing quite clear;
The gift of a dog is not just for the season;
We had got the dog for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids, a gift,
There was one important thing 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 explain as he rode out of sight -
YOU WEREN'T GIVEN A GIFT...
YOU WERE GIVEN A LIFE!