Here's a great post that I thought I would share...hope you give it some thought! –Kim

Remember the Shelter Dogs This Christmas
December 16, 2009
By Deanna Raeke

As you gather this holiday season to spend time with friends and family and your own beloved furry family members, take just a moment to think of those dogs and cats who sit alone and unwanted, with just the barest of necessities.

Gather up some old blankets and towels, maybe grab an extra bag of treats or food or a few toys when you're out shopping and take that few extra minutes to drop them at your local shelter. [Note: Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this blog to see a good list of no-kill shelters and rescues, or CLICK HERE.] You can donate anytime of the year, but at this special time of love and caring and sharing, please, take just those few extra minutes and make this holiday a little more special for a few lonely shelter animals.

A dear friend recently sent me an email. She's unemployed and struggling like so many of us right now, but dearly loves animals. Her family includes not only a beautiful chocolate lab, but also a cat and horse. And one of the things she's done to make things easier and more special for shelter animals near her is to ask for donations at a local pet store who graciously donated. So, for those of you who cannot afford money or gifts, take the time to visit a local pet store or two and ask if they would be willing to donate – you might be surprised. Thanks so much my dear friend and special thanks to the kind store owner who opened their heart!

'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 goodbye...
"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 Unknown

Source: For the Love of the Dog
Copyright ©2009 For the Love of the Dog