1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.
2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.
3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.
4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
- - don't pee on the tree - - don't drink water in the container that holds the tree - - mind your tail when you are near the tree - - if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open - - don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree
5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
- - not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - - don't eat off the buffet table - - beg for goodies subtly - - be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - - don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.
6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
- -observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. - - respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house - - tolerate children - - turn on your charm big time.
7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!
Chad says that he has only just learned that the lights on the printer are best left alone - a whole tree of them - wow! He can't wait to see it!
Must say I am a tad worried as Tiger likes to pick things off the tree and eat them if poss and Chad is attracted to lights for some reason and has obviously never seen Christmas trees before.I think there may be a few mishaps! but nothing can be as bad as my friends kitten which, managed to knock a whole tree over all on its own seriously the mess one little tiny persian kitten created was unbelievable!Em X
I gave up my 4' tree a couple of years ago after Dusty my small lurcher would keep sniffing and poking at the tree. On more than one occassion she has pulled or knocked it ove and on one occassion had to be rescued from within it. I've now invested in a small fibre optic tree that stands off the floor so no dashing dugs can knock it over. The only thing that happens to it now is it gets beaten up by greyhound tails !!!! So even a 2' tree isn't safe !!! Aaaaahhhhh ! Well at least the dugs can't eat the lights !!!
Twas the night before Christmas and the shelter is dark, The whole place is silent, not even a bark. The dogs are all locked in their pens for the night, The staff has gone home and turned out the light.
As I lay my head on the cold concrete floor, I fondly recall the home I had before. The family I loved who loved me right back, We'd share everything from a secret to snack.
Things couldn't be better at this time last year, But that has all changed and now I am here. I won't see the tree, the lights or the snow, I'm scared and alone, my spirits are low.
Many others like me are put up for adoption, A new family and home, seems a far away option. They're locked up in cells due to cruelty or neglect, We aren't the first dog that new owners select.
Diesel, or Bingo or the black one named Percy, Deserve to be loved and shown some mercy. While families celebrate holiday cheer, I know in my heart that I won't join in this year.
As I close my eyes I'll shed you a tear, The fond memories of family I'll always keep near. So think of us all amid christmas fun, Spare a thought for the greyhounds and give them a home.
As I close my eyes I'll shed you a tear, The fond memories of family I'll always keep near. So think of us all amid christmas fun, Spare a thought for the greyhounds and give them a home.
Jenny, this is an excellent poem - did you write it yourself? We have a thread in this section - 'GAL BOOK' - requesting stories or poems for a book that GAL is going to produce
Jenny,that poem is so lovely....i wish all the homeless greys out there could be somewhere warm and full of love this Christmas..... and it's so sad to think of all the poor dogs,whatever breed,that will enjoy Christmas this year and then next year who knows....maybe they won't get on with the new puppy that's the kids pressie.....
Unfortunately I don't have the talent to write such moving words.
I found it ages ago while looking for something to write in a friends birthday card (obviously something more cheery than this one). Don't know who it is written by or anything but very appropriare for the time of year.
This Forum is an emotional roller coaster. I've just moved from the tear jerking poems referred to under "Baggage", to having a smile and a laugh at the Christmas Etiquette warning for Greyhounds, only to find another tearful poem at the bottom of the page .
I've had enough, I'm away to watch the X Factor replays!!!!!!!
-- Edited by mclarchitects at 08:50, 2005-12-05
__________________
Alan, Lulu and Douglas's Dad or am I Lulu's dad and Douglas's grandad?