A Tribute to Gene and all Foster Parents Here

[Raleighsmom]

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a Doodle was stirring, not even a mouse.
Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Santapaws soon would be there.

The Doodles were nestled all snug in their bed,
While visions of chicken wings danced in their heads.
And Gene in his jammies, a cap on his head
Had just found a spot to crawl into his bed.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
He sprang from his spot to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
He pulled up the shade and threw up the sash.

The moon on the mounds of the new-fallen snow
Gave appearance of daylight to objects below.
When, what to Genes wondering eyes should appear,
But a sleigh full of Doodles, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little fat driver, up on the roof,
Gene knew in a moment he didn't need proof!
More rapid than beagles his Doodles they came,
And Gene whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

Come Jonah , come Miko, come Rumor, come see
Your new foster buddies
Santapaws has left me!

And then, in a twinkling, he heard on the roof
The prancing and dancing of each little hoof.
As Gene drew in his head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Santapaws came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his toes
And his clothes were all dog hair but that's how it goes...
With a bundle of Doodles flung over his back
He looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

He let out a beauty...Holly by name,
And then out popped Comet...oh how could you blame
One so compassionate, one who is nice
One foster Dad with nary a vice...

Into their kennels,they went right to sleep
Jonah , Miko and Rumor never let out a peep...
They were so in awe..in awe of their Dad
Cause they knew that this night could have been sad..

Santapaws spoke not a word, as he hugged his two fosters
And said to Gene, I know that you care
He filled the kids stockings and looked at his roster
To see where he'd stop next with more doodles to spare..

He whispered to Holly and Comet before
He picked up his pack to go out of the door
Lulu, Wayne and Sienna have found a new loving home
And I promise you'll never again have to roam...

You'll have new people to love
And a family that cares
Good food, lots of toys, and maybe a soft bear..

He hugged them and stroked them
And dried a stray tear,
And let them both know that they were ever so dear...

He returned to his sleigh, and the cold made him shiver
We mustn't be late there's more Doods to deliver!
But Gene heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Bless all my foster parents, and to all Doodles Good Night!



Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

[pringle's mom]

Oh Kathie! That is so awesome! I am laughing and crying at the same time! Thank you and thanks and blessings to all who foster!

[gene]

Kathie...that is the best thing....EVER!! I am honored......and crying!

[Calimom]

Wow Kathie, that is a beautiful poem. Tears in my eyes too. All you fosters are the best! Hugs to all and Kathie, you said it the best with your poem! Much appreciated!!

[tykesmom]

That was incredible, Kathie! And worthy of our doodle heroes! Gene, I am so glad that Holly ended up with you after all! And Heather and Deb, and everyone else who has the courage to give these wonderful dogs a place to heal, to paraphrase Tiny Tim,
"God Bless you, every one!!!"

[blueteal]

Are you kidding me I am bawling like a baby here
That was so beautiful I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very nice to honour our Gene and others who do this work.................

[lindamarie]

Oh.....my...........GOD!!! God has given you a gift, Kathie!!! How tremendous!! You are such a great writer!
Gene, this is an honor for you. You know what we all think of you, but only Kathie could put into words.
Bawling, smiling, awwwwing........I sit here astounded! How wonderful you BOTH are!!

(((((((((((((((((((GROUP HUG)))))))))))))))))))

[lindamarie]

I forgot to mention ALL people here who foster! Heather, You too!!...and so many others!

I can't seem to get this off my mind. Can you imagine what a wonderful world this would be if it were made up of JUST people like us!!?? I mean, we are a group here that care so much about each other and our doodle's! It totally amazes me at the warmth I feel here at this forum.
'God Bless you ALL...............and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[anny51]

Kathie...that was so moving, and such a lovely way of marking the love these foster parents give to their charges. I too think you are all great guys with big hearts, and I'm sure you will go to doggy heaven.

[blueteal]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

I forgot to mention ALL people here who foster! Heather, You too!!...and so many others!

I can't seem to get this off my mind. Can you imagine what a wonderful world this would be if it were made up of JUST people like us!!?? I mean, we are a group here that care so much about each other and our doodle's! It totally amazes me at the warmth I feel here at this forum.
'God Bless you ALL...............and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ditto , so how should we go about knocking off the rest of the world?
bahahhahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Kathie that was a great poem. Thanks! Please let's not forget all the people at IDOG that find doods and coordinate their rescue on a daily basis. Without them us foster parents would not have the support we need to get these wonderful dogs into their new homes. Thanks for all you do IDOG.

[Mud]

Kathie's poem expresses what we all feel about the amazing job that the fosters do. I hope Gene will print that out on some top quality paper, frame it, and hang it on his wall for all to see. It's sort of his Academy Award from his forum fan club.

As for the other fosters, I would like them to substitute their name for Gene's and his dog names for their own, and to also put it in a frame as an award from all their admirers on this forum.

We have you all on pedestals where you belong.

[tuffystar]

Crying here too! All I can say is Amen to everything said in the poem and after! Thank you one and all!

[doodleheaven]

I can barely type through my tears. What a beautiful poem and a beautiful tribute to all those special people out there who foster. Merry Christmas to all...

[MaxandMe]

(((((((((((((((Kathie))))))))))))))))))))))) that was soooooooooo beautiful!!! thank you sooooooooooooo much for
writing and sharing it with all of us honey!! God sure has blessed us all but you have also shown us what a blessing
doodle fosters are as well as the doodles in their loving care.

THANK YOU and thanks to all who foster!!!!