Christmas is a very special time for me...It was my 26th wedding anniversary yestrday and today, I am now officially a year older. And then of course there is the remembrance of the love that came down at Christmas in human form - the reason for the season. Today, as we celebrate Christmas, may we all never forget how blessed we are to be alive, to have our families, loved ones, friends, good health, jobs, homes to live in and pets to love. Today, I would like to share with you my favorite Christmas inspirational story...May it move you not just to tears...but may it move your heart that you may remember the homeless, the orphans and widows and the stray animals around that need a home...Spread a little love around this season and always - bless others the way you have been blessed. Merry Christmas, dear reader...and may God bless you and yours always.
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"I will never forget you," the old man said. A tear rolled down his leathery cheek. "I'm getting old. I can't take care of you anymore."
With his head tilted to one side, Monsieur DuPree watched his master. "Woof woof! Woof woof!" He wagged his tail back and forth, wondering, What's he up to now?
"I can't take care of myself anymore, let alone take care of you." The old man cleared his throat. He pulled a hankie from his pocket and blew his nose with a mighty blast.
"Soon, I'll move to an old age home and, I'm sorry to say, you can't come along. They don't allow dogs there, you know."
Bent over from age, the old man limped over to Monsieur DuPree and stroked his head.
"Don't worry, my friend. We'll find a home. We'll find a nice new home for you." And, as an afterthought he added, "Why, with your good looks, we'll have no trouble at all. Anyone would be proud to own such a fine dog."
Monsieur DuPree wagged his tail really hard and strutted up and down the kitchen floor. "Woof, woof, woof, woof." For a moment, the familiar musky scent of the old man mingling with the odor of greasy food gave the dog the feeling of well being. But then, a sense of dread took hold again. His tail hung between his legs and he stood very still.
"Come here." With great difficulty, the old man knelt down on the floor and lovingly pulled Monsieur Dupree close to him. He tied a ribbon around his neck with a huge red bow, and then he attached a note to it. Monsieur DuPree wondered what it said.
"It says," the old man read aloud, "Merry Christmas! My name is Monsieur DuPree. For breakfast, I like bacon and eggs -- even corn flakes will do. For dinner, I prefer mashed potatoes and some meat. That's all. I eat just two meals a day. In return, I will be your most loyal friend."
"Woof woof! Woof woof!" Monsieur DuPree was confused and his eyes begged, What's going on?
The old man blew his nose into his hankie once more. Then, hanging onto a chair, he pulled himself up from the floor. Buttoning his overcoat, he reached for the dog's leash and softly said, "Come here my friend." He opened the door against a gust of cold air and stepped outside, pulling the dog behind. Dusk was beginning to fall. Monsieur DuPree pulled back. He didn't want to go.
"Don't make this any harder for me. I promise you, you'll be much better off with someone else." The street was deserted. It began to snow. Leaning into the wintry air, the old man and his dog pushed on. The pavement, trees, and houses were soon covered with a blanket of snow.
After a very long time, they came upon an old Victorian house surrounded by tall trees, which were swaying and humming in the wind. The old man stopped. Monsieur DuPree stopped, too. Shivering in the cold, they appraised the house. Glimmering lights adorned every window, and the muffled sound of a Christmas song was carried on the wind.
"This will be a nice home for you," the old man said, choking on his words. He bent down and unleashed his dog, then opened the gate slowly, so that it wouldn't creak. "Go on now. Go up the steps and scratch on the door."
Monsieur DuPree looked from the house to his master and back again to the house. He did not understand. "Woof woof! Woof woof!"
"Go on." The old man gave the dog a shove. "I have no use for you anymore," he said in a gruff voice. "Get going now!"
Monsieur DuPree was hurt. He thought his master didn't love him anymore. He didn't understand that, indeed, the old man loved him very much, yet he could no longer care for him. Slowly he straggled toward the house and up the steps. He scratched with one paw at the front door. "Woof woof! Woof woof!"
Looking back, he saw his master step behind a tree just as someone from inside turned the front doorknob. A little boy appeared, framed in the door by the light coming from behind. When he saw Monsieur DuPree, he threw both arms into the air and shouted with delight, "Oh boy! Oh boy! Mom and Dad, come and see what Santa brought!"
Through teary eyes, the old man watched from behind the tree. He saw the mother read the note, and tenderly pull the dog inside.
Smiling, the old man wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his cold, damp coat as he disappeared into the night whispering, "Merry Christmas, my friend."
by: Christa Holder Ocker, Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul
19 comments to MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND
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Unknown Dear Kalambong
Thanks for bringing this to my attention as I was not aware of this.
Let us hope that change will really happen soon.
Take care and have a blessed Christmas and wonderful new year.
Best wishes
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Unknown Dear Dato' Sakmongkol
I am glad you like the touching tale. I still get misty-eyed when I read it...
Many thanks for your festive greetings. Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful festive season and a new year filled with showers of blessings.
Salam
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stephen MWS, hope you enjoyed the video! Should send it to anson wong and company!
Anyways,with the new year round the bend and being the season for sending off unfulfilled resolutions and making new ones,I thought I'd share some pearls of wisdom.
"NO ONE EVER REMAINS A VIRGIN,LIFE F**KS UP EVERYONE"
we all go thru' crap,no one's ever spared, so might as well enjoy and be prepared!!
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Huilu May all your wishes be fulfilled, all your visions become reality,
all your missions be accomplished, & all your beautiful dreams come true!
Merry Christmas!
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Village Boy "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." - Lucille Ball
HAPPY BIRTHDAY & ALL THE BEST!
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edward Dear MWS,
Wish you a Happy Wedding Anniversary and a blessed Christmas. Truly this is a special time for you and may it be filled with many beautiful moments.
God bless,
Edward
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Catherine When something is right, it has to be done, even if there are a thousand reasons to prevent us from doing it. Please never be deterred by the many challenging obstacles!
Indeed, we should be grateful for the way we have been blessed. Let's always spare a thought for those belonging to the underprivileged sections of the society.
Merry Christmas!
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edward Oops, A very Happy Birthday too! Wish you a blessed time as you celebrate these very special occasions.
Edward
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Unknown Dear Stephen,
Thanks so much for the video :-) - great clip of Spongebob with a political message. I will probably post it later in the afternoon.
LOL! Love your pearls of wisdom.
Take care and have a blessed Christmas with you and yours.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Huilu
Thanks for swinging by and for your warm wishes. I truly appreciate your kind gesture.
I wish the same for you, Huilu, and may this Christmas may be an unforgettable and blessed one for you.
May God guide and bless you in everything you do and may all the days of your life be filled with love, joy, happiness, good health and fulfilment.
Take care!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Village Boy,
Love your Lucille Ball quotation! :-)
Thanks for your birthday wishes. Take care and have a blessed Christmas.
Stay in touch.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Edward
Many thanks for your festive greetings, birthday and anniversary wishes. I am blessed to get to know you and the other readers via blogging.
Your wise, deep and sincere comments over the past months certainly add value to my post and I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts.
May the Lord continue to bless and guide you and your family always as He directs your path.
Blessed Christmas to you and yours!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Catherine
Thanks so much for your encouraging and inspiring message! Trials and tribulations build character and endurance which we need so much to survive in this cruel world.
Here's wishing you bountiful blessings this Christmas season and for the new year as well.
Take care and thanks for keeping in touch.
Shalom
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QQ Win without fail!
Triumph over even the hardest reality!
Break through all hardships to ring the bell of victory!
Happy Birthday & A Blessed Christmas to you.
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Unknown Dear QQ
Thanks for such a triumphant and victorious exhortation!
March on to victory in your life and continue to be a n encouragement to those around you.
Blessed Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours.
Shalom
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Anonymous "A truly happy person is one who remains undefeated, no matter what happens. Ultimately, unless we win over ourselves, over our own weaknesses, we won't be able to open the way to true happiness."
- Daisaku Ikeda
Merry Christmas & Happy 2010.
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Unknown Dear Anonymous @ 11.22 a.m.
My deepest appreciation to you for sharing such an inspiring and meaningful quotation.
May you continue to light up the lives of those around you.
Blessed Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours.
Do keep in touch.
Best wishes
k a l a m b o n g Someone post this on Susan Loone’s blog:
... ...
Najib’s talk about making a police report and passing the files to the AG for action exposes a glaring point about his intentions to take action or inaction. The PDRM and AG can only act against civilians, local or foreign, who were involved in the theft. Uniformed officers in the service at the time are subject to Military Law, even if they have been cashiered since then.
Military courts are under the Judge Advocate General of the Malaysian Armed forces, the Gujerati AG has no authority over them.
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There has been NO Court Martial of the officers and enlisted men involved.