This time of year Santa is a very busy man, reading letters from children filled with their wishes for Christmas. This year Santa received a few letters that were a bit different. They were from children who had written him letters sent to him from a very special mailbox that was at Whiskers in Wonderland, a holiday event put on by the Ledyard Animal Control. The letters did not ask Santa for presents for themselves but instead asked for presents for their pets. Santa’s heart was very touched to read how much the children loved their pets and cared that Santa not forget to visit them too.
So, Santa called on the Ledyard C.H.A.I.N. elves to help him. Ledyard C.H.A.I.N., which stands for “Citizens Helping Animals in Need”, felt this was right up our alley and jumped at the chance to give Santa a hand. We began working in Santa’s workshop making the special toys, foods, and treats wanted. There was one item though that Santa feared he could not get made in time and that was a request for a new dog house for Karma and Patches. But, a very special elf told Santa not to worry and got very busy. Before we knew it the new dog house was made, making Santa’s list complete.
On Wednesday, December 18, Santa and his C.H.A.I.N. elves loaded up their decorated SUV sleighs with all the goodies, including the dog house, and specially baked reindeer cookies for the kids. Off they went to see the pups, kitties, and even a fish named Rosetta. To keep Santa safe, the Ledyard Animal Control van went along and directed traffic and flashed their lights so everyone would know Santa was in the area.
Santa got to meet so many wonderful pets and their owners. There was Karma and Patches; Daisy and Lucy; Lucky; Max, Ariel, Elle, Belle, and Rascal; Chloe and Sadie; Havoc; Shadow, Sam and Grace; and Rosetta. He did not get to meet with Buddy, Winston, and Willa but he still left them something at their door for them to find when their owners came home. Then the elves mailed off two special delivery packages to Jet and Jackson and Cricket and Princess who lived in neighboring towns. That is 24 pets that Santa and his elves surprised with Christmas gifts this year.
It was a wonderful night filled with barks and meows, squeals of joy from the children, smiles from the parents, and an atmosphere overflowing with happiness and good will. . At the end of the night Santa and his C.H. A.I.N. elves were very proud of the job they had been able to accomplish. But, Santa and the C.H.A.I.N. elves, though they put in a lot of effort, could never have made the evening happen if it had not been for all of the donations and support from our wonderful community. You gave willingly and selflessly and your generosity made Christmas a bright one for many young children, their pets, and their parents. Thank you isn’t enough but its all I can give. We look forward to continuing this tradition and hoping that we can fill even more wishes next year.
