It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In Picture Book Land, that also means it’s time for another holiday writing contest. I love the challenging parameters set up by talented author Susanna Leonard Hill on her blog. This year, in her 6th Annual Holiday Contest, Susanna dared her readers to write a children’s holiday story, in 300 words or less, using the basic format/concept of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
I hope you enjoy my following entry. Please let me know what you think with a comment below.

 

The 12 Strays of Christmas

(300 words)
Well, the first stray of Christmas at the Humane

        Society

Was a tabby that had cat fleas.
The second strays of Christmas at the

        Humane Society

Were two shepherd pups

And a tabby that had cat fleas.





The third strays of Christmas at the

        Humane Society

Were three Siamese kittens,

Two shepherd pups,

And a tabby that had cat fleas.
The fourth strays of Christmas at the

        Humane Society

Were four mixed retrievers,

Three Siamese kittens,

Two shepherd pups,

And a tabby that had cat fleas.
The fifth strays of Christmas at the

        Humane Society

Were five mutts with mange,

Four mixed retrievers,

Three Siamese kittens,

Two shepherd pups,

And a tabby that had cat fleas.
This pattern continued with…

Six calicos mousing,
Seven boxers barking,
Eight black cats yowling,





Nine poodles yipping,
Ten schnauzers scratching,
And eleven shorthairs napping.
By the time the twelfth strays arrived, the kennels were filled with…
Twelve terriers whining,

Eleven shorthairs napping,

Ten schnauzers scratching,

Nine poodles yipping,

Eight black cats yowling,

Seven boxers barking,

Six calicos mousing,

Five mutts with mange,

Four mixed retrievers,

Three Siamese kittens,

Two shepherd pups,

And a tabby that had cat fleas.

 

At this point, the Humane Society simply could not accept any more strays. They posted pictures of all 364 animals on their website.
Santa, who is a huge animal lover, saw the photos and scheduled a special stop at the Humane Society on Christmas Eve. He squeezed the animals among all the toys and presents in his sleigh.
Santa delivered each animal to the home of just the right boy or girl. Hundreds of children were delighted to receive an adopted pet for Christmas.
But I heard Santa exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— 

“Spay and neuter your pets, and to all a good night!”