~~~~~Joy to the World~~~~~~~~~~
"Joy to the World" - I can hear the people sing
In the building down the road where all the bells do ring.
What is this "joy" they sing about I wonder to myself
As I lie here in the cold and wet upon this bare wood shelf.
My sable fur once soft and clean is matted to the skin
My rib and hip bones jutting out - I can barely raise my chin
There are others too at this sad place who share a common fate
What did we do to earn this life and get in such a state?
I had some puppies here with me about a week ago
But they're gone now and I'm glad 'cause its begun to snow
Does God know I loved and nursed them - tried to keep them warm
Though in the end - it mattered not - they were never safe from harm.
Are snowflakes really frozen tears from Heaven up above
To comfort those like us - alone and lost - with no one left to love?
The snowflakes fall so soft and still and muffle out the cry
Of the old one in the next cage down - I think she's going to die.
A glow appears amongst the flakes and slowly takes the form
Of a dog like me in better times - it approaches through the storm.
The old dog breathes just one more time and suddenly lies still
An empty shell is all that's left, my prophecy fulfilled.
The glowing dog floats to her cage - the door opens on its own
He leans over her still, thin form and says "I've come to take you
home.
Home to the Bridge where there is light and soft grass on which to
play
The sun shines always - warm and bright - all through out the day.
You'll have a lap in which to sit, hands to softly stroke your face
Someone to show the love to you that you missed in this sad place."
With that, the old one floated up and took her place along side -
Once again she's young and whole - then the two began to glide.
I cried out as they began to leave, "Please take me there with you!
Don't leave me in this horrid place. Is there nothing you can
do?"
The glowing one turned and smiled and said "Its not your time
To travel to the Bridge my friend." Then I heard a faint, soft chime.
Eyes raised above, he listened close and looked at me again.
"Its Christmas Eve, you now must go to the building down the lane
Where the bells do ring this night of nights and you will sit and wait
In the stable filled with straw and light next to the wooden gate.
When the singing stops and people leave, one will stop and see your
face
Be not afraid, for this is one who has an inner grace.
She rescues those who are lost or hurt and keeps them safe from harm
You will find the Bridge on earth my friend when you settle in her
arms."
With that he turned with my old friend, his glow grew very bright
It surrounded both, his wings unfurled and they flew away from sight.
I sat a moment in the dark and then heard a small pop
The door to my cage had opened up - I leapt out with a small hop.
My shaky legs took me to the lane where I could see the light
From the building with the ringing bells - my little heart grew tight.
But I thought of what the glowing dog had said and then I was at peace.
My fear was gone, strength filled my soul, I felt a strange release.
Not knowing what the world would hold in store for one as small as
me
Faith gave me strength as I trotted slowly on towards my new destiny.
The snow squeaked and crunched below my paws as I started up the lane
The events of this wondrous night swirled within my brain.
In front of me, the lights grew bright as I was drawing near
The building with the ringing bells - inside were sounds of cheer.
I looked around to find the gate and stable told to me.
That was the place that I must sit - the only place to be.
The gate was there and I ran through and sat there in the hay
There were others there behind this gate in the stable lit like day.
Two people kneeling by a bed that held a babe so small,
A shining star above their heads shown like a great white ball.
Three men in flowing robes were just coming into view.
A camel, sheep, a cow, donkey were all there welcome too.
The bells rang out, the doors flew wide and people started out
Into the night with smiles and hugs and began to mill about
Exchanging greetings, words of cheer, plans for the next day shared
Most left in groups together or with another paired.
One single person broke away from the group she had been part
And looked over towards my hiding place and I felt in my heart
This was the one I'd been told about who'd be my special one
The glowing dog had been correct, I'd wait and she would come.
"What's this?" she softly said from the gate over which she bent.
"A small, lost soul taking refuge - you must be Heaven sent."
She slowly entered through the gate and knelt down on one knee
Looked sadly into my eyes and held out her hand to me.
"Where did you come from little one? Why is it you're so thin?
I bet you've come from that awful place - you've escaped from him.
We're working hard to get the dogs and all the puppies too
Away from him and his puppy mill - the first one will be you.
I'll take you home and get you clean and brush out all those mats
We'll get you food, a warm place to rest - you can bet on that!
And when you've settled down a bit, you get to meet the others
The former lost souls just like you - new sisters and new brothers."
I listened to her say the words though I did not understand
What all they meant, the tone I did and put my head beneath her hand.
Gently gathered to her chest, she gave me a tight hug
And we went to sit inside her van with me on a soft rug.
She pulled it up around my neck - I began to feel so warm
A sleepy doze came over me as I put my nose upon her arm.
When I awoke we'd stopped in front of a home with many lights
Different colors all shone round the windows - it was quite a sight
She picked me up - another hug - and then we went inside.
A quiet place, some food and drink, a warm bath, towel dried,
I felt much more alive inside and began to look around.
There were others here too - that I knew - from the barking sounds.
Former lost ones who welcomed me into this place so kind,
A LOT of them from what I heard, I didn't think I'd mind.
"You'll like it here," they said to me, "and we cannot wait to meet
The newest one who found her true Home here from off the street."
The lady picked me up again and took me to a place
With fireplace and cozy chair and tree that cramped the space,
We sat together in that chair with me upon her lap
She just held me closely, I settled in and had myself a nap.
I awoke when tears from her warm eyes fell upon my face
Those tears kissed away by me, I knew that I'd found my place.
Content and full and warm and safe - something stirred within my heart
Revelation came to me - my head came up with a start.
Was this feeling "joy" I'd heard about in those voices raised in song?
If it was, I wondered how I'd done without so long.
I hadn't really lived I think until I'd found someone to love
The best Christmas gift was sent to me from Heaven up above
Cyndee Walklet 1999
SheltieZoo@aol.com
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