Sorry Clement Moore...

On this day in 1823, the famous poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas was first published.  The poem, also known as The Night Before Christmas was written by Clement Moore.   I decided to take Clement's version - and modify it.  My apologies to Clement for my changes.  But I don't think he would REALLY mind.  This goes out to all those canines and their humans who read my blog - and my apologies in advance for the many names I am missing!!!!!  I KNOW there are others - and please know that I appreciate each and every one of you - but I wanted to post this before Easter!!!  Here goes:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

3 canines were waiting for something other than a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  

One had been chewed - so the toes were quite bare.  

Two dogs were nestled all snug in their human’s bed,

While visions of dog treats danced in their heads;  

And their human in her jammies, and Elroy in his crate,  

Were feeling rather stuffed from all the cookies they ate.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,  

We raced to the door to see what was the matter.

Then away to the window we flew like a flash,  

Barking and growling, a chair fell over with a crash.

The moon was shining on pile of snow

Because it was dark out, the yellow parts didn’t show,  

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But a sleigh pulled by dogs, instead of reindeer,  

With a jolly old driver and those dogs, so lively and quick,  

We knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.  

As rapid as greyhounds – those happy dogs came,  

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, Meg, now Wookie! now Hally and Chimo!  

On Romi! on Zan! on Murray and Stacio!

Hurry Bisia, hurry Miri, hurry Sophie and Fudgee!

Quickly Taz, quickly Jackson, quickly Sherlock and Oly!

Wait Moo, wait Jack, wait Rigger and Milo!

Stay Wiggles, stay Nara, stay Edy and Solo!

Down Hattie, down Gidget, down Doman, and Fred!

Sit Nanny, sit Conner, sit Watson and Ed!

Come Sophie, come Thor, come Gatsby, and Beau!

Roll over Gipsy, roll over Dorey, roll over Kiszka and Flo!

Jump Maddie, jump Liam, jump Ares, and Tip!

Speak Romeo, speak Dudley, speak Logan and Jip!

Over the broad jump! Over the wall!  

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”  

So up to the house-top the happy dogs flew,  

With the sleigh full of Toys, and yummy biscuits too.  

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The barking and squeaking and each little woof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,  

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.  

He was dressed all in fake fur, from his head to his foot,  

And his clothes were all covered in dog hair and soot;

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

He looked a bit frightening and Frodo wanted to attack.  

But his eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!  

He looked very friendly, he wasn’t so scary!  

He looked at all 3 of us with a smile and held out a treat,

We happily took it – we’re always ready to eat!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,  

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

We were all sitting patiently watching in awe,

Our tails wagged in unison as we each gave a paw.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,  

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;  

He jumped in his sleigh, after his dogs had a pee;

No one ran away – it was something to see.

And off into the sky the amazing dogs flew

Their driver trusted those canines – they knew what to do.

And I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas - behave Viktor - and to all a good-night.”