'No pet could ask for more': Reader shares Christmas poem

Thanks to Chris Wagner of Hilton Head Island for sharing his annual Christmas poem.

"I would like to dedicate this year's poem to all the wonderful people who work and volunteer at our local animal shelters," Wagner writes. "These people work hard, get paid little or nothing, and receive hardly any appreciation â€" except for an occasional lick or two."

"A Pet's Wish"

By Chris Wagner

My name is Old Saint Nicholas,

Born a mix of breeds

To a homeless, starving, sickly mom,

Who died while nursing me.

For days I cried and wandered,

And eventually was found,

By a special, caring person,

Who brought me to the pound.

The shelter cared and gave me food,

With all the other strays,

But I was forced to live my life

Inside a tiny cage.

For months I stayed inside my pen,

'Til luck had come my way.

The miracle, I prayed, had come

The week of Christmas Day.

Now 12 years I have loved my life.

No pet could ask for more.

I share my love and passion with

A family I adore!

But now I'm old and tired,

And soon will come my day.

If my paws could only write a will,

This is what I'd say ...

"I own nothing to bequeath to you

Except my toys and dish.

I only ask you grant for me

One last and final wish.

"Please don't shed a tear for me;

Don't grieve and please don't mourn.

Don't say you won't replace me now

Because your heart is torn.

"The shelter's full of orphans

Who'd love a brand new start;

To share your lap, your love, your life,

And give to you their heart.

"I know that you'll be lonely,

I know that you'll be sad.

I wish that you would give to pets

A chance they've never had.

"The love we shared will not be lost,

So please have no regrets.

This season is the perfect time

To save a perfect pet."

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This story was originally published December 20, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "'No pet could ask for more': Reader shares Christmas poem."