- Dec
- 25
Why I Hate Christmas Music
Posted by Ingrid Newkirk at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
mindgutter / CC
This year, I would like a pair of sweatpants for Christmas. The pair I’ve got now came out of the “Lost and Found” bin at the local gym when my originals split a seam (Oh, if only that new bulge were muscle). Now, that pair has sprung leaks, a series of small holes that, unlike my eyesight, show no signs of fading. I’ll probably get a bottle of scent instead of the much-needed pair of sweats. That, however, is not why I hate Christmas.
In part, I hate Christmas because it has become all about presents. And, of course, annoying songs like “Frosty the Snowman,” which I have found myself singing silently for about a week now. Mostly, I hate Christmas because it can bring out the opposite of what it should in people. We can become more self-obsessed and greedy than at other times of the year.
The first time this began to bother me was a long time ago. More than 20 years ago or so. On that Christmas morning, Washington, D.C., was covered in a thick sheet of ice. Nothing moved. Nothing could move. Everyone stayed indoors and ate and lounged about. We had a weather-imposed day-long curfew.
Well, most of us did. Some emergency services were in business. The Washington Humane Society was open because it had dogs and cats to feed and keep warm. Its volunteer drivers were on call, too, and I was one of them. My truck was outfitted with studded snow tires and chains and 50-pound bags of sand. We always prided ourselves on getting to our destinations even in adverse weather conditions, often without seeing another vehicle.
Just before lunchtime, a call came in. Could we pick up a dog lying on the ice between two houses? No, they had no idea who owned the dog or why the dog was there.
When I got to the address, I managed to crawl my way down the ice-covered steps and across the skating rink lawn to the caller’s door. It was so cold my fingers and feet were numb. Two men answered. A father and son? Behind them, in the warm, cozy room, I could see the tree and Christmas lights. Music was playing. They pointed to the side of the house, shivered, and closed the door quickly.
The dog was lying on her side. She was so heavily pregnant that I was surprised she wasn’t delivering the pups then and there. She tried to get away when she saw me coming, but her front legs had been squashed, and I could see broken bones protruding. She had apparently been hit by a car and managed to drag herself this far before collapsing. She was suffering from exposure and wild-eyed with fear. Her only hope of getting away was to scramble past me, but her crushed legs and the ice made escape impossible. I pulled out a long leash and put it around her neck. Now I was faced with a dilemma. The mixed German shepherd and the litter she was carrying must have weighed over 70 pounds. She couldn’t manage the walk–certainly not the steps to the sidewalk–under her own steam. I weighed in at about 110 pounds. Even on dry ground, picking her up would have been impossible. We were both shaking uncontrollably from the icy wind.
I blocked her exit with two wooden pallets, anchored her to them, and gingerly maneuvered my way back to the house. Knock, knock. Would anyone be able to help me get the dog to the truck, I pleaded to the beautifully dressed young woman who came to the door. The men on the couch shook their heads and said in no uncertain terms that that was my job. They weren’t going out in that weather to touch some dirty mutt. Thank you.
It took me a long time to administer the sedative to her, to wait for its effects to kick in, and then push and pull her body across the lawn. It took longer to winch her, courtesy of my leash and the snow chains, up the steps to the truck. I have no recollection of how exactly I got her into the truck, but it wasn’t easy. As I worked, and she snored, I remember hearing that blasted Christmas music coming from inside the house.
Over the years, I have read about and personally witnessed all sorts of wonderful charitable acts at this time of year. My heart is filled with gratitude for each person responsible for every one. If this season brings out the best in some people, it is a good time. Yet, the image of people turning their backs on Christmas morning to the plight of an exhausted, pregnant stray dog, her legs in tatters, never fades.
There are so many, of all species, who have nothing or little. Just a few hours’ plane ride away, there are countries where children know only war, lands where children have never had a toy–not just a favorite toy, but any toy. There are places where old men and women must still perform back-breaking manual labor or starve, and where human beings and animals sift through garbage dumps together for food. Here at home, there are people and animals who live on the street or find refuge in cardboard boxes and abandoned cars.
There are worse things in life than not getting a pair of sweatpants for Christmas. Turning our backs on those who have so much less is one of them.
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: Christmas, dog, holidays, Ingrid Newkirk
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Laura says...
December 25th, 2008, 3:28 pm
Hi Ingrid,
Christmas is not my favorite time of year either, but I don’t have the heart-wrenching memories of an injured dog, neglected by a neighborhood of so-called holiday-spirited people. It’s an unbelievable story, but unfortunately it is probably not an isolated one. My husband David and I forgo giving gifts and instead give money to charity, PETA being on the top of our giving list. We know that because we give to PETA, many of the stories of neglected animals can have a happy ending. Let’s all hope that the new year brings more compassion for all animals.
kerry says...
December 26th, 2008, 11:15 am
i love Ingrid because she tells it like it is and is not afraid that someone somewhere might get offended by the bold truth. I love Ingrid because she lives frugally and simply and is gentle but tough and does not sugar-coat the harsh realities of the world. She reminds me of my own mother and without people like Ma and Ingrid, I think I would give up on mankind.
Lynda says...
December 26th, 2008, 4:21 pm
That is such a sad story and I can feel what you must have felt at the time for those horrid, selfish people. God bless that sweet little dog and her babies and God bless you. Thank you for what you did for her and her babies. Were you able to keep her or find a home for her and her pups? I have fed and loved strays for many years now and have always felt great resentment for people who sit in their warm cozy houses and won’t even lift a finger to help an innocent, abused animal.. it’s one of the things that bothers me most about the human race. Your act of love, kindness and compassion on that Christmas day is exactly the present Jesus would want for his birthday. He was with you when you did that and he is very, very proud of you. Thank you for what you did and do. Keep on keepin on!
Nancy says...
December 26th, 2008, 9:18 pm
Yeah, one thing I don’t like Christmas anymore is because it’s becoming all commercial and spending money. In my mind, Christmas is about being thankful and expressing gratitude. It doesn’t have to be celebrated in a big way or lots of gifts, for gifts are symbolic only. And how ironic people would turn their back to a person and a loving animal in need on a Christmas day. This is surely some holiday hard to forget, seeing how people react to a request for help. And thank you for helping the mother!
Bonnie Bonsor says...
December 26th, 2008, 9:26 pm
Ingrid - Please let us know what happened to the dog and her pups…I was aching for a happy ending by the end of this story. Even though it was 20 years ago and I suppose they have all passed on by now - could you let us know what became of them? The cruelty and coldness of human beings makes me sad and angry - but every time a lost or abandoned animal is saved, my spirit lifts. I grew up in Newport News and two of my relatives lived in DC (Falls Church and Alexandria) - a lot of my Christmases were spent there. In fact, I believe I was there for Christmas in 1988. I know how unforgiving that city can be in the snow and ice - and I wish I had been able to help you then. I would definitely not have turned my back, that’s for sure! Thanks so much for your dedication! Again - what happened to the mommy dog?
alyssa says...
December 30th, 2008, 9:49 pm
wow. thats so horrible. but people really are like that, willing to sacrifice a life for their own comfort. it really makes me sad. i wish christmas could be how its supposed to be. full of love and generosity. but i guess good old humans couldnt DARE be HUMANE once in a while. thank u so much for caring and doing all that you do for these poorly represented animals. yay!! and happy holidays <3
Marcia says...
January 2nd, 2009, 8:54 pm
I think a good way for me to help with the change we see needed is to keep my Christmas list short next year. Maybe offer to or three charities for my family to choose from instead of gifts. They can still wrap a note into a box for the tree or the stocking…
Phyllis says...
February 9th, 2009, 3:36 pm
Just guessing, but if the story had a happy ending, she might not hate Christmas music…