poem... dog related... sad

Many of us cat people have dogs, or have had dogs in our years.... this poem
is so sad. Hankie alert....

CHRISTMAS RETURNS

Santa comes quietly long before dawn
While shops are still busy and lights are still on,

While dinners are cooking and kitchens are warm,
And children count presents they'll open in morn.

He slips past the trees in windows aglow
Through the gate to the backyard

As the icy wind blows
To find a pup he brought last year
Chained up in the snow

And, kneeling, he whispers, "Are you ready to go?"

There are too many stops like this one tonight
Before the beginning of his regular flight
He leaves not a note or a footprint in sight

Just an unbuckled collar
On a cold Christmas night