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Day After Christmas - an ending or a beginning? (by Catherine Mann)

Although our December blog theme is about endings, I can't help but see beginnings all around me!

My amazing kids are growing up and starting exciting, new phases of their lives...


My husband and I are enjoying more time together....


And a most poignant sign of beginnings? We foster for the Humane Society and currently have a mama dachshund and her three puppies in our home for the holidays. (Peanut and her babies - Cheyenne, Buckaroo, and Cowboy.)


Our foster dogs this holiday season make me think of this poem by Elise Lewis.... Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

"A Puppy's 12 Days of Christmas"

On the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses And I forgot all about the other eleven days.



Wishing you all a magical New Year!

Holiday Hugs,
Catherine Mann
www.catherinemann.com
****

Winter months are especially tough for shelter animals, between the cold and less outdoor time. If you have old towels and blankets, I hope you'll consider donating them to your local animal shelter. And perhaps stay for an extra hour to volunteer to walk some dogs in need of extra exercise. The time you share will mean the world to an animal waiting for its new beginning in a forever home!

Comments

  1. What a lovely family! And what a cute poem. There's a special place in heaven for folks who help animals like y'all do!

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  2. Thank goodness for foster moms like you! I can't do it with a small child, but I used to work at the SPCA, and we loved the foster parents. So did the animals!

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  3. Thank you for the sweet comment about my family, Carolyn! Hubby and I are very proud of the kiddos. :)

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  4. Loved the "Puppy Days of Christmas!" It reminded me of the year my puppy ate the glass ornaments off the tree. (Yes, more than one!) Then he pulled the tree down, smashing even more ornaments. We set it back up and he pulled it down again.

    Funny, how irritated and frustrated I remember feeling, and yet, now, it's one of my most treasured memories.

    There's probably a lesson there somewhere.

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  5. Hi Shana! I'm happy to be in a position to help...:)

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  6. Hi Mary Margaret! LOL about your puppy! They do have a way of snuggling up in our hearts even in their mischief. ;-)

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  7. I got my kid a horse for Christmas one year... we won't go into that just now.

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  8. Thanks for sharing such wonderful pictures of your family and foster babies. They're all adorable.

    I've always wondered how foster parents keep from getting so attached. I bet it's incredibly hard to see the pups go.

    Bless you for having such a warm and giving heart!

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  9. Tracey - you're right it's tough to say goodbye to the puppies.... but so very rewarding to see the photos of them settled in with a forever family bringing them joy. And if I start keeping them, then I'll have to stop fostering, and sadly, there are always so very many more in need of a foster home...

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  10. Loved the poem! And I loved the names of those puppies. Very Western!

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  11. Hi Joanne - We really did have fun naming these puppies. For the longest time, we couldn't think of anything. We would refer to the black and white pup as the cow puppy because his fur looks like a Holstien cow.... then one day my little neice called him "the cow boy" and once cowboy was named, Cheyenne and Buckaroo came to us immediately!

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  12. Catherine--I adored that poem. We have two dogs but sometimes it feels like a dozen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family.

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  13. Hi Sara - I totally hear you - dynamics of the day with dogs can be quite boisterous!! ;-)

    Thanks, Cheryl!!

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  14. I loved your poem, Catherine! LOL. And what a wonderful service you provide. Your family looks and sounds amazing.

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  15. Thank you, Kathryne!! I'm pretty proud of all of them - hubby and kids. :) It was a real treat to have them all here for Christmas this year!

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  16. I fostered for the arn
    I'm seeing Dr.Glew now.
    great poem

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