'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
My dogs were nestled, all snug in "MY" bed,
While visions of chewie toys danced in their heads.
I in my sweat pants and Dad in his sweater,
Had just settled down to read the Great Dog Reporter,
When up on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter!
Off to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash.
The moon on the crest of the new fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday to the objects below.
And what to my wondering eyes did appear
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
With a sputter of ashes -- a flurry of soot,
He slid down the chimney with all of his loot.
My Dogs stood there so regal and proud,
Guarding their home with barks oh so loud.
St. Nick showed no fear and called them by name,
He knew in his heart they were gentle and tame.
He brought out his list, checking it twice.
"Well, my beauties, all year you've been very nice.
I have in my bag toys and much more,
Just tell me what you pups really long for."
My dogs talked to each other -- much to my surprise
and turned to Santa with tears in their eyes,
"We have chewies and balls and ropes to be tugged,
We are pampered and coddled and petted and hugged.
But for Christmas, dear Santa, we have but one care,
that all dogs be loved as much as we are.
We want no dog beaten, whipped or chained,
No dog abandoned, abused or maimed.
We want all dogs, no matter what size,
to see love reflected in their master's eyes."
St. Nick stopped for a moment to gather his wits,
"I have nothing to stop humans from being such twits."
All dogs are so beautiful and are such a treasure,
Living only to be loved and give humans pleasure.
This lesson I will try to teach
Then maybe your wish will be within my reach."
St. Nick leaned over and kissed each beautiful head.
"Now you gentle giants, go off to bed.
Think good thoughts and dream good dreams
Of running and jumping and playing in streams."
St. Nick turned to me, his face wet with tears.
"Be proud of your babies, they are such dears."
In an instant St. Nick disappeared in a poof,
And I heard him chuckle as he ran on the roof.
He jumped in his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle,
and off he flew like the down on a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as the drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to All and
To All Dogs a Good Life!"
Twas the night before Dog-mas,
when all through the pound
not a puppy was yelping,
or playing around;
Our leashes were hung
by our kennels with care,
in hopes that St. Bernard
would soon find us there;
Chihuahuas were curled up,
all snug in their beds,
while visions of doggie-treats
danced in their heads;
Max in his collar,
on somebody's lap,
had tucked in his tail
for a midwinter's nap,
When outside the room
there arose such a clatter,
my ears perked right up
to hear what was the matter.
Away to the window
I jumped up with glee,
and barked at the shadows
that were cast by a tree.
The glow from the moon
changed night into day,
and started me thinking,
Woof, woof! Time to play!
When, what with my puppy-dog eyes did I see,
But a splendid dog-sled,
led by doggies like me.
With a regal furred driver
commanding, not stern.
I yelped to the others,
That must be St. Bern!
More rapid than greyhounds
our saviors they came,
and we barked and we howled,
and called them by name:
There's Duchess! There's King!
Fat Chance, and Bare Buffy!
On Fido! On Scooter!
On, Rover and Scruffy!
Go by the red hydrant
and run past those trees!
Nothing can stop you,
not even some fleas!
As puppies at play
chase after a stick
and race to their masters
so lively and quick,
So out in the field
his canines all flew,
catching the Frisbees,
that St. Bernard threw.
And then in an instant,
I heard at the door
the scratching and clawing
of each little paw.
As I pulled in my nose,
and was turning around,
Through the door St. Bernard
came in with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur,
from his head to his tail,
his wood cask adorned
with an icing of hail;
A bag of chew-toys he had
brought in with him,
and his mouth was turned up
in what looked like a grin.
His eyes - how they twinkled!
His ears flopped, how merry!
His coat shone like crystal,
his nose like a cherry!
His big sloppy mouth
was drawn up like a bow,
and the fur on his chin
was as white as the snow;
The stump of a bone
he held tight in his teeth,
and his collar encircled
his neck like a wreath;
He had a large face
and a furry, round belly
that shook when he barked,
like a bowl full of jelly.
He was fluffy and plump,
a big, cuddly old pooch
and I laughed when I saw him
and gave him a smooch.
A wink of his eye and
a wag of his tail;
we knew right away
we'd have homes, without fail.
He howled not a howl, but
went straight to his deed,
and took down our leashes
that soon we would need.
He opened the door,
and families stood there,
with children, all smiling,
and much love to spare.
He leapt to his sled,
to his team gave a call,
and away they all flew
as if chasing a ball.
But I heard him exclaim
as he chewed on a bone:
Happy Dog-mas to all,
and to all a Good Home!