'Twas The Night Before Christmas: A Revision

By Eric A. Shelman

(Note from Editor:  This wonderful poem was published (and written) by our previous Editor in December of 1999.  I just couldn’t resist reprinting it – Merry Christmas from sunny California to sunny Florida   – and everywhere in between!!)

'Twas the night before Christmas and

all through the tracks

All the greyhounds were sleeping,

some lazed on their backs.

Their muzzles were hung by the

cages with care,

But all knew St. Nicholas

would never be there.

This Christmastime magic

was not for the hounds,

And Santa would pass them

when he made his rounds.

A greyhound named Rainbow

awoke with a start,

Saying "What was that noise that sent chills through my heart?"

The other greys woke up

and gathered to chat,

"What was that?

A rabbit? A groundhog? A cat?"

Rainbow was scanning

the kennel for clues

When he looked at the ground

and saw brass-buckled shoes!

He lifted his eyes

 from the shoes to the waist,

And next saw a white beard

and jolly round face!

Rainbow said "Santa?

Can this really be true?"

And Santa said, "Yes, Rainbow.

I need help from you."

The greyhounds fell silent

and gazed up in awe,

They could not believe

 it was Santa they saw!

They rushed to the front of their crates

 just to see,

When Rainbow said, "Santa,

what help can we be?"

Santa stood silent

 then spoke with concern:

"The powers that be

know I've something to learn.

As we flew 'cross your kennel

 my reindeer fell weak;

My sleigh came straight down, down,

 fast as a streak."

 "I landed my sleigh filled with toys

 on your roof,

And now seeing you here

 is surely my proof."

"My reindeer could sense loneliness

 in your dreams,

And they brought me here to assemble new teams."

"New teams?" asked poor Rainbow,

now very confused.

"But we cannot fly

so we cannot be used.”

Santa said "Nonsense,

you'll fly like the wind!

But none of you'll ever see

these crates again."

"We'll never come home?"

said the hounds all together.

"Will we be left outside

in snow and harsh weather?"

Santa just laughed

as he opened the crates,

Saying "Trust me

and know that much happiness awaits."

Right after their lessons

 the greyhounds could fly!

They soared over cities

 and mountains so high,

With Santa Claus laughing a hearty

 "Ho, Ho!"

His forty greyhound reindeer

 were ready to go!

Rainbow was happy

for the first time in years,

He now had met Santa,

and cried happy tears.

But as hours passed and the sleigh became lighter,

The number of greyhounds in reins became slighter.

"Oh, Santa but where have my good friends all gone?

We started with forty,

there's now twenty-one!"

Santa just smiled as he pointed below,

And said, "I'll show you tonight where retired greyhounds go."

They landed on top of the home

 Rainbow saw,

The jolly man smiling as he lifted his paw,

"Rainbow, I thank you by leaving you here,

Where people will love you

 and bring you good cheer."

As Santa returned to his seat in the sled,

The twenty flying greyhounds at once turned their heads,

They all showed their smiles

 at the fat, cheerful gnome,

Who cried, "Merry Christmas to all,

 and to all a good home!"

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MANY THANKS FOR A GREYT YEAR

Now is the time when we all get busy with families, businesses and seasonal activities.  Those of us who volunteer for the responsibility of keeping the Needle Nose Crew up and running are in the same boat.  However, as we get engrossed in our own holiday activities, we wanted to stop and say “thank you” to each and every volunteer who dedicated time to keeping the NNC on track.  Whether you spent an hour or many tens of hours with us during this past year, we send out our appreciation.  The message of how wonderful greyhounds are as pets does not reach the public unless we have people at each and every event talking with those who are potentially interested in our efforts and greyhounds as companions.

Often as the year goes by, we lose sight of just how active and busy we are as a group.  As we do at the end of each year, we’d like to recap just how hectic the schedule was.  The Needle Nose Crew participated in 58 events for a total of 72 days of volunteer effort during this past year.  We held 31 pet store shows and added 3 days for a new event at the Irvine Spectrum.  We joined in the fun of 4 parades and 2 reunion picnics.  We jumped into 8 community events for a total of 9 full days of meeting local families and friends.  We signed up for 5 home shows, each of which were three-day affairs keeping us all busy for a total of 15 days. Finally, we joined in to help 3 local shelter and animal group events, attended 1 two-day pet expo in San Diego and 1 three-day pet expo in Orange County. 

In addition to all the volunteer hours that go into our NNC events, we would like to acknowledge the groups and communities who allow us to participate with our greys.  Our thanks go out to Petsmart, Petco, the Ponderosa of Idyllwild, the Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island of Newport Beach and the Corona Del Mar Animal Hospital.  Our appreciation goes to the show management groups of NEC , USA , WWPSA and 76 & Sunny Events.  Our hats are off to the communities of Irvine , Orange , Chino Hills, Idyllwild, Laguna Beach , Newport Beach , Placentia , Santa Ana , Corona Del Mar, Del Mar and Jamul.  Each of these businesses, management groups and communities has extended their hospitality to the Needle Nose Crew and our wonderful canine companions.  

We hope you will all have a wonderful holiday season with your families, friends and, of course, your marvelous animal companions.  Please know we all appreciate the time each of you spent helping promote greyhounds as pets.  We’ll see all of you next year… NNC’s year number 10!!  It will be our best ever!!

	Karen Charpie-Elton for her loss of the sweet Steffi
	Susan Beever for her loss of the very playful Phoebe
	Diane Anderson for her loss of Randy
	William and Gynneth Watson for their too soon loss of KG