The day before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas

I've found many canine versions of this Holiday classic – here one of the variants. 

*****

'Tis the day before Christmas and all through the house

The puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had merrily hung on the door

Is scattered in pieces all over the floor.

 

The stockings that hung in a neat little row

Now boast a hole in each one of the toes.

The tree was subjected to bright-eyed whims

And now, although splendid, it's missing some limbs.

 

I catch them and hold them, be good I insist

They lick me, then turn off to see what they've missed.

And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me

That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be.

Should children and puppies yet show us the way

And teach us the joy that should come with this day?

Could they bring the message that's written above

And tell us that, most of all, Christmas is love!

*****

Another, slightly different Version:

It's the day before Christmas and all through the house,

The puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had cheerfully hung on the door

Is scattered in pieces all over the floor. 

The stockings so hopeful, hanging in rows,

Now boast a hole in each of their toes.

The tree was subjected to bright eyed whims,

And now, although splendid, is missing some limbs. 

I catch them and hold them; be good! I insist.

They lick me, they run off to see what they've missed.

Now as I watch them the thought comes to me,

That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be. 

Should children and puppies yet show us the way

And teach us the joy that should come with this day?

Could they be the message we lost `long the way

That loving and giving are for every day.

 

(Author(s) unknown)