On this Christmas Eve…

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here for your holiday history lesson today. I know I don’t seem the academic type, but the Boss encouraged me to write this, so here we go. In 1832 (probably around the time the Warden was born), a guy by the name of Clement Moore had a poem published which was called several things- A Visit from Saint Nicholas or The Night Before Christmas. In 2016, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog by the name of Viktor, adapted Moore’s poem. Today, Viktor’s poem is bittersweet as he is now hanging out at the Rainbow Bridge – along with many of the dogs noted in this version. But we think his poem is deserving of a repeat, and you can substitute the name “Viktor” in the poem to any dog – like me – Wojtek! Check it out:

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 a 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.”

That was fun. Wish I had known Viktor. Although the Warden says that living with the two of us would have definitely put her over the edge. Whatever that means.

Anyway, on this Christmas Eve, I finally got my letter in to Santa. And my request? No clothes (that’s for sure!). Toys would be nice, but I do have lots. I see the Warden brought home some treats the other day, so I don’t NEED those. I have a comfy bed. A roof over my head. Two “brothers” to harasss, er, I mean play with. A human to train…. So what do I really want? Well it’s kinda simple. I wish that whoever is reading this can, for even a minute, feel the love that Christmas is all about. That despite the challenges they have encountered in 2021, they can reflect on their good moments and appreciate them – like a really special treat! It’s so easy for humans to focus on what they don’t have. They need to be more like us dogs – be happy for just being!

Merry Christmas dear readers. Sending you virtual licks and waggy tails from our house to yours. May you have a fabulous Baby Jesus Birthday Bash!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.