”Up on the roof their arose such a clatter, I rose from my bed to see what was the matter”

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(at Katie’s Place)
- by Clement C. Cat

I received this delightful and heart-touching poem by email recently from my sister Debbie whom I affectionately call “Cat Woman”. Her purpose in life is to rescue, love and care for the many unfortunate kitty cats that have been abandoned and abused by lower forms of human beings.

Katie’s Place is a ‘no kill’ cat shelter in Maple Ridge, BC Canada where Debbie spends her days off and most of her pin money. The poem was written by Brigitta, one of the volunteers at the Shelter.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the shelter The creatures were stirring, all helter skelter;

Their profiles were hung by the door with great care, In hopes that adopters soon would be there;

Some kitties were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of forever homes danced in their heads;

And Peach with her stripes, and Taz all in gray, Had just finished sparring at the crunchies buffet;

When out on the porch there arose such a clatter, They sprang to the door to see what was the matter.

Away to the rafters they flew in a flash, Gray tabby Murdock and tuxedo Moustache;

The moon overhead had lured them to play, Leaving nests and perches in wild disarray;

Then what to the cats’ wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver with large fluffy paws;

They knew in a moment it was Santa Claws!
The old fellow saw all the cats, wild and tame, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

“Hey Mojo, hey Morris, hey Marble and Sprinkle!
Hi Skittles, hi Peach, Taz and Periwinkle!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now come along, come along, come along all!”

As whiskers torn during wild horseplay fly, When they break from a cheek or from over an eye, So out to the porch all the kitties they flew, To see Santa Claws in this rare rendezvous;

And so, in a twinkling, they saw him alight;
Resplendent in red, the old cat was a sight.

They all sat down and wrapped their tails round;
As they watched, the old sprite held them spellbound;

His whiskers were long and white as fresh cream, His boots were jet black, his eyes had a gleam;

He bore no gifts in ribbons and wrappings, With tags and tinsel and trimmings and trappings;

For a moment their faces all fell with dismay, For these pets had nothing, most had been stray;

Plucked from the streets, to the shelter they came;
No family nor friends, no home could they claim.

The kindly old elf could see some glum faces, And chuckled, for he knew of their saving graces;

“Take heart little friends for your future is bright; I come bringing hope and not presents this night!”
He foretold of homes for most of the throng, Safe, loving places where they would belong;

“This is a gift you will surely receive;

This hope is your gift on this bright Christmas Eve;

For the rest, if you must always make your home here, Know you have friends who hold your lives dear!”

Declaring this impromptu meeting adjourned, And giving a nod, to his sleigh he returned;

He took up the reins, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;

But they heard, ere he rose to the sky up above, “Be at peace for you know that you’ll always have love!”

If you are an animal lover, and are in a position to make room in your home and your heart for a bundle of furry love who will repay you ten thousand fold, or if not, are able to donate food, toys, blankets, beds, treats, dishes, money or your time to a shelter near you for these ‘Little Love Sponges’ this Christmas, go for it and God Bless!

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