'Twas The Night Before Christmas . . . A Revision
By Eric A. Shelman

'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!"

A Rant For The Ages . . .
By Eric Shelman

At the risk of writing something I shouldn't, I just want to rant a bit about this greyhound rescue/adoption/promotion thing. As we leave the 1900s behind, we have a situation where there are so many groups out there trying to help greyhounds that it almost seems too competitive! Just a few short years ago, these dogs had few champions; now I wonder if there aren't too many. Some of the larger groups treat volunteers like they're a dime a dozen. They have resources to do what they need to do; more importantly, what they want to do. They demand loyalty from their volunteers as though they are not volunteers at all, but royal subjects! Worse still, some of these "subjects" fall into this role and lose sight of the fact that EVERY group out there helping greyhounds find homes is worthy of our admiration and support. How hard is it to remember that we do this because we love the dogs, and we want our friends, and even strangers, to enjoy the love and devotion a greyhound can provide them. How about getting back to the business of helping dogs? One of these larger groups actually went so far as to "list", in an Email to me, everything they've done for the greyhounds since their inception, suggesting that I, the Needle Nose Notes editor, make a list of the things the Needle Nose Crew has done to help the greyhounds. The obvious intention was to convince me that the Needle Nose Crew has done very little in comparison to what this group does. Well, that's silly. I refuse to make a "comparison" between a nationally-funded group and a grass roots organization like the Needle Nose Crew. I mean, we don't have dogs for adoption, and we don't even have official nonprofit group status! All our donations come from genuine people who want to help, and for that reason, we can pretty much do what we want. (Thank goodness!) We have no board to report to, no politics (other than external) to deal with, and we can pretty much tell the groups who have a problem with what we do to "deal with it." We'll still refer people to these groups (pretty much whether they like it or not) as long as it gets greyhounds adopted. Yes, while we may occasionally focus more attention and provide direct assistance to a couple of groups out there who lack the volunteer base of some of the larger organizations, we still pass information about EVERY group to EVERY person who inquires about the greyhounds. Let me spell this out for anyone who is confused by this approach. "We send potential adopters to all greyhound rescue groups whether they want us to or not."

Gee . . . what a novel concept. Can you even believe this is an issue? I hereby step off my soap box. Happy Holidays!

As Joy and Happiness Abound, We Remember Those We Love
Our hearts go out to. . .

• Sylvia Williams, who lost her wonderful, nine-year-old Misty. 
• We also join Gary Allison as he mourns the loss of his magnificent, ten-year-old Dylan.

Don't forget the Needle Nose Crew is proud to present not one but three different Millennium Calendars for your gift lists this year. There is still stock of all three at the moment, but the copies are disappearing fast. If you want your copies, call 949 552-1373 to reserve the number you think you might need. We can hold them for your pick up or arrange to meet you at one of our upcoming show and tells!