Christmas at the Animal Shelter: A Sleep Story

 It’s an unsettling fact that Christmas can be both amazing and depressing at the same time. Honestly, Charlie Brown was completely relatable in his holiday despair. Mental illness, grief, anxiety, don’t take a winter break like kids in school.  

Whether it’s a quiet moment in almost empty church, watching a Christmas movie, or sitting in a dark room lit only by the Christmas tree, we all need moments of peace to fully enjoy the joy of the season. This is why you find yourself taking a walk after work and Christmas shopping.  

You take a side street that seems quieter than the main street with all the busy shops. You begin to find some peace as you walk. A light snow begins to fall and you smile, remembering making snowmen with your brother as kids. It’s a calming memory interrupted only by a dog’s bark.  

You look around for the source of the sound and realize that the local animal shelter is on this street. You knew that your town had an animal shelter; you just never knew where it was before. You smile, seeing the lights are on, even more inviting is the open sign on the door. Cuddling puppies would be a perfect way to destress.  

The front door jingles as you push it open. A fully decorated Christmas tree greets you.  Each ornament features the picture and name of an animal up for adoption. A song about wanting a hippo for Christmas plays softly in the background, and you jokingly wonder if the shelter gets many hippos this time of year.  

You feel something furry against your hand and look down to see a large, black dog by your side. “Hello,” you say as you pet his soft, fuzzy head. “Are you on the tree?” 

The dog only wags his tail in reply and tugs on your coat sleeve until you follow him behind the desk, despite your protests that you don’t work there. The door behind the desk opens into a hallway. The dog releases your sleeve and paws at another door. The label reads “Cats”. You open the door slightly and peek in to confirm that it is, indeed, full of cats. They are lounging on the floor and on furniture, playing with festive toys, and munching on treats. They are all absolutely adorable and don’t seem to mind you or the dog in the doorway, one even comes over for a quick pet. 

Soon, the dog is leading you back into the hallway, after you make sure you’ve securely closed the cat’s door. The next door is where he gets even more excited because behind it are his fellow canines. They bark noisily in greeting, and you can’t decide who to pet first. Some even bring toys to you, eager to play.  

You do your best to at least pet everyone, but you are sure some have snuck in extra pets. You lose track of time as you say goodbye to the dogs and are led to a smaller room with rabbits and surprisingly a turtle. You never do see any staff but leave some change in the donation bin as you leave. 

A few days later, the week of Christmas to be exact, you return to the shelter to ask about adopting the friendly black dog, but none of the staff seems to know him. “Though, he does sound a bit like a dog we had a few years ago.” a young man with animal themed tattoos suggests. “Poor guy was really sick and died this time last year.” 

You just stare at him, your mind spinning.  Did you really hang out with a ghost dog that night? You’re equal parts stunned and sad until the man continues, “But we do have a similar dog; do you want to meet him?” 

You nod yes and after some time fill out an application for another black dog and to your surprise a black and white cat. You can’t wait to give them a home of the holidays and it’s all thanks to that wonderful black dog.  

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!