12/23/2025
Twas the night before the holidays, and all through the valley
Not a feral cat was roaming, not even in the alley.
the traps were all stored in the garage with care
With hopes the New Year would soon be there.
The colony caretakers were all snug in their beds
with dreams of trapping dancing in their heads.
And with the last TNR done and the traps all clean
the wife and I settled in for a long restful dream.
When out in the desert there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon was shining brightly across the sky
leaving shadows dancing before my eyes.
When what to my eyes should appear
a big orange cat with a tipped ear.
He had eyes of gold and stripes to boot
twitched his whiskers and licked his foot
He meowed and yowled and his colony they came
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Tiger! Now Princess!
Now, Molly and Sue!
On, Tommy! On, Oreo!
On, Sammy and Lou!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the tree!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"
The colony scrambled up the tree
and sat on the roof in total glee.
Orange cat meowed and turned his head
“We all are TNR’d and vaccinated” he said
and then, in a twinkling, on the roof I saw
the prancing and pawing of each little paw.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney Orange Cat came with a bound.
His fur was shiny, his eyes and nose clear
He was happy and full of good cheer.
The other cats came down too
to thank the caretaker for their food
the cats were all healthy and stout.
Boxes for shelter were placed inside and out.
Food and water bowls were filled to the brim.
And Orange cat and the colony looked mighty trim
He said “Trappers trapped us and had us neutered or spayed
Caretakers care for us every day
We are thankful and glad to be here to say
Happiness to you all on this Holiday”
From all the feral and stray cats in Las Vegas
