It is a cold, blustery day here in the northeast and my Peeb loves the breeze running through her hair. Nose is working overtime trying to catch all the smells flying by at mach speed. She has a new stuffed toy, another dog, that she proudly drags along the floor.
Twas almost the night before Christmas, when all through the doghouse,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the cats.
The dog bowls are stationed near the chimney with care,
In hopes that Dog Nicholas soon would be there.
The puppies were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of dog bones danced in their heads.
And mamma in her crate, and I in my bed,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I ran like a flash,
Gluing my nose to the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny dogdeers.
With a little old Peeb driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Dog Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he barked, and shouted, and called them by name.
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the doghouse-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and Dog Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The pawing of each little dogdeer.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Dog Nicholas came with a bound.
His hair was a muss from his head to his tail,
And his coat was all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of dog toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his Saber tail standing tall!
His nose scenting as Peebs can do!
His stately little stance would make any judge proud,
And he held his head high just for the crowd.
The smile on his face melting the snow,
And the smoke it encircled his head with a glow.
He had a proud face and a little black nose,
That wiggled with joy running down to his toes.
He was perky and just right,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the dog bowls; then turned with a jerk.
And laying his paw aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a yodel,
And away they all flew without the slightest rustle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Woof, Woof, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.
