Hurricane Katrina

Prayers For Animals

Twas The Night Before Xmas
A New Orleans Prayer By Dave F.  ~  Metairie, LA 12/23/05

'Twas the night before Christmas, let me give you the scoop.
Not a creature was stirring, cause they all fled the coop.
No G-Ma in Lakeview, no Joe in Chalmette,
No Towanda on St. Claude, no one's heard from her yet.

No Boudreaux in Waveland, no Jacque in Grand Isle
No Jean in Slidell, man that girl makes me smile.
The place it was emptied by Katrina's great tide.
They all headed north, now they're spread far and wide.
As I sat there alone, I wondered out loud,
What Christmas would bring without the usual crowd.
And I questioned how Santa would find all my friends,
Now they're gone cross the country from beginning to end.

So I sat at my desk, which was no more than a book.
Cause all of my stuff damn Katrina done took.
And I wrote me a letter, crafted with care,
Made my list for St. Nick, a New Orleans prayer.

I start, "Pere Noel, you know times are hard,
And I guess fun and laughter, well they're not in my cards.
But I have a few favors to ask on this night,
And perhaps you can help before morning's first light.
I ask for good weather, so all of these crews
Can give lights to the city, before this year's through.
Bring water and gas to all of the houses.
And Rite-Aide, and Popeye's, and Frost Stop and Rouse's.

And for all of those businesses, once doing fine,
A shopper or two, and a "We're Open" sign.
And the schools sitting empty, now void of all noise,
A teacher or two and some girls and some boys.
For those who lost loved ones, I ask that they find
Some love in their hearts and some peace in their mind.
And for those who were lost who had no one to cry,
Family in heaven to sit by their side.

To the four legged creatures, and the ones who have wings,
A backyard to run in…a big cage with a swing.
For the people who found them, and fed them, I pray
That their own little companions never wander or stray.

For the young men and women who protected our streets,
Who gave ice and gave water, and something to eat.
May the heavens look down and see all that you've done.
And bless you and your families for lifetimes to come.

And as long as I'm asking these favors of you,
There is one more thing that I wish you would do.
In the Dome let the Saints win just one more game,
While those two words, New Orleans, are still in front of their name.

But mostly the reason I'm writing today,
Is for something we both know won't fit on your sleigh.
For all of the people who wander and roam,
For the New Orleans natives from Houston to Nome.
A place to come back to, with family and friends.
The knowledge that soon their long journey will end.
For all of those people in shelters and trailers,
A place to call home, oh, and no levee failures.

So when you head South on your sleigh ride tonight,
You'll find very few people, and fewer bright lights.
But the spirit is here, sent back home from afar.
Merry Christmas New Orleans, wherever you are.

---

On Christmas Morning I Wish
Lilla and Neal Whitehead  ~  12/2006

For each dog rummaging trash: A filled bowl with his name in bright letters.

For every dog who slept fitfully, chained in a frozen yard: A soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every shelter dog spending Christmas morning in a soiled run: A forever home filled with sounds and smells of family.

For each "Christmas puppy" given today: A tolerant, caring human who won't abandon you as you grow into a real dog.

For every ailing pet: Money for your person to pay the bills to make you well.
For every lost dog: A clear, safe road, and well-marked path to lead you home.
For every old and tired friend: A warm fire and soft bed to ease your pain.

And For every Heart Dog at the Bridge: A moment when you know that today you are remembered, missed, and loved forever.

---

A Christmas Goodbye
Pam Leavy, tundraleap@msn.com  ~  12/2006

'Twas the night before Christmas
And the shelter is dark,
The whole place is silent, Not even a bark.
The dogs are all locked in their pens for the night,
The staff has gone home and turned out the light.

As I lay my head down on the cold concrete floor,
I fondly recall my home from before.
The family I loved, who loved me right back,
We'd share everything — from secret to snack.
Things couldn't be better this time last year.
But that has all changed and now I am here.

I won't see the tree, the lights, or the snow,
I'm scared and alone, my spirits are low.
The others like me weren't put up for adoption,
A new family and home, for us isn't an option.
We've been locked up in cells as if we were crooks,
We don't deserve homes because of our looks.
Not Diesel, or Bingo, or the young one named Percy,
Deserve to be loved nor shown any mercy.

While families celebrate holiday cheer,
I know in my heart that my end is near.
The vet will arrive, the lights will go on,
By the time you awake, we all will be gone.
A stranger will come and take me away,
I'll never wake to see another day.
As I close my eyes I'll shed you a tear,
The fondest of memories I'll always keep near.

The only thing I've ever asked of Santa Claus,
Is to stop all these unfair and ridiculous laws.
You said without me, your life was not full,
So why does it matter that I'm a "pit bull"?

In my dream Santa shouts when he's finished his deed,
Merry Christmas to all, regardless of breed!