This was sent to me, I thought it was making a very good point, It has
been changed some to relate to a ferret. Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!

Sue and the animals at Okeechobee Ferret & Cat Rescue
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      'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
      Not a  creature was stirring, not even a mouse

      The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
      In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there 

      The  children were nestled all snug in their beds
      With no thought of the ferret filling their heads

      And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
      Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that

      When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter 
      I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter

      Away to the window I flew like a flash
      Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash

      The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
      Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below 

      I ran down the stairs to the floor below
      At the Christmas Tree Santa was a no-show

      When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
      But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears

      He opened the ferrets cage, once so lively and quick
      Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick

      More rapid than eagles he called the ferret's name
      And the ferret ran to him, despite all his pain

      "Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
      On, COMET! On CUPID! On, DONNER and BLITZEN!

      To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
      Let's find this ferret a home where he'll be loved by all."

      I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
      For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear  

      The gift of a ferret is not just for the season
      We had gotten the ferret for all the wrong reasons

      In our haste to think of the kids a gift
      There was one important thing that we missed

      A ferret should be family, and cared for the same 
      You don't take a gift, then lock it in a cage

      And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
      "You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"

      Author Unknown

      MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Posted in FML 5823]