'Twas the night before Christmas
And
all through the kennel
Not
a creature was stirring, not even a Bull
The
stockings were hung by the bowls with care
In
hopes that Petsmart soon would be there
We had just settled down, arranged in our bed
With three smallish dogs, and a Bully, well-fed
When suddenly the fireplace and all of its logs
Was filled with dear Santa, bearing gifts for our dogs
I crept down the steps to see what was the noise
And under the tree were some wonderful toys
For Bullies and horses and good kitties, too
An old chewed-up blanket, and a battered old shoe
Would soon find replacements to start the new year
Nylabones, Kongs, and a box of pigs ears!!!
I turned and saw Santa kissing my Pug
On impulse I stepped up and gave him a hug
My Bully danced 'round and the Bostons both yipped
As Santa smiled and up the chimney slipped
I ran to the window and pushed it up with a crash
(I never did know what the heck was a sash)
I couldn't see Santa, his sleigh, reindeer, or sack
But, suddenly I thought of something and said,
"Santa, come back"
He
turned and he smiled and he gave me a glance
And,
all of a sudden, he started to dance
The
reindeer were puzzled and the horses looked up
The
kittens were quiet and so were the pups
Then,
Santa reached in to that red and white sack
And
pulled out a present and began to walk back
"Thanks,
Santa" I said as he gave me the gift
Then,
all of a sudden, the snow started to shift
The package I had began glimmering and glowing
And light glinted everywhere, though it was no longer snowing
Up from the box some spirits unfurled
Genies from bottles, around me they whirled
I took one step back, not sure of myself
When the spirits took shape, and every one was an elf
Santa's elves from his workshop, so small and so merry
But, these elves, though dressed in red, were four legged and hairy
Boxer elves, Bostons, Bulldogs and Pugs
All seemed to have a smile on their mugs
Dashing and dancing on top of the roof
Then, the red-nosed lead reindeer stamped
down his hoof
"It's time we were leaving this holiday scene
There are places to travel to, children to please"
So, back to the bottle the elves did retire
As Santa and I looked on to admire
How magical, mystical elves of four feet
Had managed for Santa and me to meet
Just then, one elf stopped before he became spirit
"I just want to say something, and think all should hear it"
He was a grizzled old Bulldog, I could see as he spoke
"We dog-elves have one gift we give to all folk"
The Bulldog elfs breath made a cloud in the air
"Our gift is free and there's plenty to spare"
He raised his short muzzle to the stars high above
And he spoke soft and deep, "Our present is love"
So, finally the Bulldog returned to the ghost
I'm not sure which part I believe in the most
But, one thing is wished for in this season of light
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
By:Gail Knight and Ann Taylor
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