By Harry Shubin
T’was the night after the adoption event,
And all with the store,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a stray cricket on the floor
The Adoption Counselors were all snug in their beds
Thinking of methods to step adoptions ahead.
The cage cards were hung on the enclosures with care,
Each telling the story of the cats who were there.
Poor Fluffy, bad Mittens, Whiskers as well as Sprite
Abandoned as well as alone on this chilly Post-Adoption night.
Each feline was nestled in a Maddie’s Blanket, as well as believed twice,
I wasn’t naughty, I truly was nice.
Why was I left in a shelter,
Almost about to pay the price.
When out in the store, there arose such a clatter,
All the kitties stood, stretched, took a lap of water,
nibbled some food, groomed themselves for a moment,
And sought to see what was the matter.
When what to their wondering eyes must appear,
But an old, tired-looking volunteer.
She was dressed in feline earrings, feline shoes covered her toes,
Her tee shirts full of claw holes, her hair the color of snow.
There was fur on her clothing,
A feline toy behind her ear,
She had catnip in her pockets,
On her sleeve, an unidentified smear.
“Look at you kitties, stuck right here for the night!
This will not do, this is not right!
Come Scruffy, Come Midnight, include me all,
I’m taking you home, we’ll have a ball!”
“We’ll play with felt mousies,
We’ll eat great deals of treats,
I’ll clean you as well as comb you,
And nibble on your adorable bit feets!”
She gathered some carriers, as well as began to pack them all,
When a bit grey kitten, who was rounder than tall,
Asked her a question, with a mew rather small:
“Are you our adopter, are you taking us home?
Will you like us forever, as well as ever, when we’re combed?”
The volunteer sat down, in her eyes there was sadness,
But then, in a twinkle, the kitties saw gladness!
“No! I’m just your foster, though I’m taking you home,
It’s only for the holidays, where you will roam,
Free of these cages, it will be fun.
And after the weekend, when we’re all done,
Back to the store, we will be on our way,
But this time, with you I will stay.
I’ll tell the adopters that when in their home,
You’ll be magnificent cats, when you’re all grown,
For you’re with our rescue now, you’ll always be safe
You’ll discover love, you’ll have a fantastic place,
You’ll always be cared for, even if things go wrong,
But they won’t, since our counselors are strong.
They’ve been well trained in interviewing,
They understand what to do,
To discover best permanently homes,
For each one of you.”
So with her they went,
Out to her car,
Though it was cold,
It didn’t seem far.
And then each one discovered a home
That was great as well as was right,
And as they left the store, one as well as all.
They believed they heard the volunteer call
“Merry Catmas to all, as well as to all a great life!”
© Harry Shubin, All Rights Reserved. Republished with permission.
This adaptation of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem was dictated to Harry Shubin by the Ghost of Catmas Future on a dark wintertime night.
Harry Shubin is a patent attorney in northern Virginia who has been active in feline rescue for a lot of of his life. He shares his house with eight cats. His entire family, including his spouse Julie, child Rachel, who is the publisher of the Sandpiper feline Blog, as well as kid Michael, are likewise included in feline rescue.
Photo by MsSaraKelly, Flickr innovative Commons
Ingrid King
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14 comments on The night before Catmas: The Rescue Version
Janine says:
December 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm
This is purr-fect
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Ingrid says:
December 24, 2014 at 6:30 pm
I’m so happy all of you took pleasure in Harry’s poem. Merry Catmas to all of you!
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Ellen Pilch says:
December 24, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Merry Christmas- I like a delighted ending.
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Becca cook says:
December 24, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Hope you all have a Joyous as well as Merry Christmas!
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Cheryl R. says:
December 24, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Meowy Catsmas everybody ?
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TulsiG says:
December 24, 2014 at 12:24 pm
I just started volunteering, as well as although it breaks my heart when I have to leave them behind in the shelter, I understand that when I am (and the other volunteers are) with them, they understand like as well as care. I like reading follow-up emails from the organization encouraging which of our charges has been adopting into (hopefully) their well-deserved permanently home. Here’s wanting great things for all of our caregivers as well as wards in 2015 as well as beyond. say thanks to you for the great poem. It touched my heart.
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Bernadette says:
December 24, 2014 at 11:45 am
Harry, I had no concept you had such talent! need to be the existence of all those home panther muses! I needed a great delighted cry this morning.
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Sue Brandes says:
December 24, 2014 at 10:55 am
So beautiful. Merry Christmas to you as well as your gorgeous kitties.
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Andrea as well as the Celestial Kitties says:
December 24, 2014 at 10:26 am
Oh that’s just beautiful! like it even though it brings a tear to my eye
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Lynda says:
December 24, 2014 at 10:11 am
Such a wonderful poem! say thanks to you, Harry, Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you Ingrid as well as Ruby as well as Alegra. wanting nothing however the very best of things for you all this season as well as always. Purrs from Dante & Puck!
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Jay says:
December 24, 2014 at 9:56 am
Wonderful Harry.
Very touching. Hoping all those kitties discover permanently homes.
Thanks to all the volunteers as well as foster households out there.
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Summer says:
December 24, 2014 at 3:56 am
I like this poem… much a lot more than the original.
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Harry says:
December 24, 2014 at 9:11 am
(Blushing) Thanks, Summer! hope everybody has a warm as well as furry Christmas ?
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MR Puddy says:
December 24, 2014 at 1:16 am
To you & your charming fameowly,
May your Christmas shimmer with moments of love, laughter as well as goodwill, as well as may the year ahead be full of contentment as well as joy.
MEOWRY CHRISTMAS
LOTS OF LOVE
❤ ❤ ❤
PUDDY
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