 Some of the crew with Santa, December 2016 The following is a true story of a wonderful Christmas from years ago! THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
By David A. Rustebakke, DVM Dec. 9, 1997 Twas the week before Christmas, when I got the farm call, "I need you up North!" I tried hard to stall. I said, "I can't go, I've got two little boys, Can't leave before Christmas, I need to make them some toys!" But the man was persistent, then I had to pause; When I asked his name, he said, "Santa Clause!" Said he needed a vet cause his deer were all sick; Was in a heck of a bind, could I please help Saint Nick?! This was the chance of a lifetime, I had to say yes! I stocked up my truck, and filled it with gas! It was a heck of a trip as I slogged through the snow, With chains on all four, could still barely go! It took near a week, as I drove day and night; As I approached the North Pole, I saw his yard light. He came out to greet me, he said, "We've a mess! Just two days till Christmas; so please do your best!" Well I checked out those deer, he dang sure was right! They were sniffin' and coughin', was a horrible sight! The worst were old Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, They looked so pathetic, were hardly worth fixin'! And then, poor old Rudolph; his shiny red nose Had lost its luster, it no longer glows! And there in the shadows, dang near a goner, Don't know if I can, but I'll try to save Donner! For a reindeer rancher, the man knew squat. What facilities he had had were totally shot! For corrals he had zip, just a barb wire fence, A heck of a philanthropist, but no common sense! I wondered, "How will I get these deer restrained?" I pondered it hard, I wracked my brain! Like a thunderbolt, it hit me, "I'll bet there's an elf; There could be hundreds, I'll just help myself!" When I whistled and hollered, out of the woodwork they came! They held down those deer, they made them seem tame! I went right to work, I gave them injections Of that new wonder drug, to cure their infections! The pills that I poked down into their throats I knew would put shine back into their coats! I bandaged their owies, Kopertoxed their feet! They were all droppin’ grain, so I floated their teeth! I poured them for grubs, powdered their lice! A couple had sprains; I packed them in ice! I put pinkeye powder in Cupid's bad eye, Pulled out that old cheat grass was makin’ him cry! I combed out their mudballs, disinfected their germs, I picked off their ticks, and killed all their worms! I worked all night long, half through the next day. They were all feeling better, when Santa hitched up his sleigh. They were dancin’ and prancin’ and rarin’ to go! I saw Rudolph's nose had back its red glow! We loaded that sleigh plumb full up with toys, He's near back on schedule, for those good girls and boys! It made me feel good, it warmed up my heart, Knowin' saving this Christmas, I'd played a small part! He asked, "What do I owe you?" I thought a short while, "An extra toy for my boys, little Robbie and Kyle!" I'd already been paid more than money could buy. His mouth was a quiverin’ as he looked me in the eye. He shook my hand with a grin ear to ear. And said, "Merry Christmas, Doc, and Happy New Year!" |
