Twas the night before Christmas

This is my version. I have not written here in a while, and this is not what I originally set this up for, but I thought it would be a good place to post.

For those that don't know, in this version, Rocky, Kylie and Koda are my dogs. Enjoy.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a dog could be heard, only a little snoring was even apparent.
Their bowls were all placed in corners with care
In hopes that Santa would soon leave them treats there.

With Koda snoring on the floor, Rocky and Kylie were all snug in their beds,
with visions of cats and squeaky chew toys dancing in their heads.
And my books cluttering the recliner and I on the couch
had just settled in after a long day shopping out.

When out on the patio there arose such a crash
That I fell off the couch onto my research stash.
Away I flew to check the door
Only to notice the door was ajar.

The moon shining through the humidity,
allowed us to see a site full of pity,
when, to my startled eyes should appear,
but a bruised up sleigh and eight crumpled reindeer.

With the driver sweating and cursing, it gave me pause,
I was shocked to hear these words being spoken by Santa Claus
Rocky and Kylie were guarding the door
While Koda just continued to snore.

Santa threw down his bag looking horribly frazzled,
the reindeer, huffing and puffing, were just dazzeld
sweat poured off this poor figure as if his hair was crying
When out of his mouth a cry came, "Oh lord, with this humidity I think I am dying"

Santa went to his crumpled reindeer to check their condition
They were untangling themselves trying to get into position
Santa asks "You OK Dasher, Dancer, how about Prancer, Vixen?
come on Comet, Cupid, pick yourselves up Donder and Blitzen"

I looked on with eye filled with wonder,
I was really beginning to ponder
With this outburst was Santa mental,
was he going to go postal.

Kylie and Rocky were no longer growling
Koda was no longer snoring
They were just standing side by side staring,
at this red suited human being

Santa got his reindeer all aligned
When he felt a little nudge on his behind
Santa said, "Donder quit, I will be fine"
Then he froze as he heard a chorus of whines

Santa slowly turned around,
looking towards the ground
Where he sees three sets of eyes sparkling
Santa eyes teared up but the sight brought back his twinkling

Santa bends down on one knee and says, "Hello little darlings,
forgive me for my outburst this early Christmas morning."
The reindeer straighten as if to attention
completely shrugging off their former situation.

Rocky walks up to Santa and lifts one paw,
being ever so gentle as not to claw
he pulls himself up to be even with Santa's eyes
to lick off the tears as Santa cries

Kylie walks up to Santa and leans on his side
as if to help Santa carry the heavy burden he has tried to hide.
Santa reaches down and scratches Kylie behind the ear
and says, "Thanks for the help my little dear."

Koda, of the three being the youngest
only knows that Santa is the greatest
Koda's tail was wagging as she was not understanding
What is wrong, on this greatest and holiest of days, why was Santa crying?

Santa looks at the three tails wagging
and says "You are RIGHT! What is the point of this crying?
Today is Christmas, the greatest day of the year!
All this blubbering, how dare I, NO MORE TEARS!"

With that Santa looks at the three gleaming faces.
"Rocky, take care old man, I promise to leave no traces.
Kylie, be sweet, take care of the other two.
Koda, keep smiling and wagging that tail to."

Santa hops up and reaches for his bag.
Grabs for three large bones that would make a dinosaur brag!
He gives each their own special treat, first Rocky
Then Kylie and last is Koda, who when it comes to food is never picky!

The three run off to their corners to hide,
I am in the shadows just beaming with pride.
Santa continues unloading some gifts and puts them under the tree.
I have to hold myself back because I can't wait to see.

Santa notices that there are no cookies on the plate
He looks at Koda wagging her tail and realizes she couldn't wait.
With that he lets out a great "HO HO HO" so loud that I had not heard such before
Santa grabs his bag and heads out the door.

Santa hops onto his sleigh
for there is no more delays.
Santa has millions of more gifts to deliver
and he has never cared if you are not a believer!

He snaps the reigns to his reindeer
he takes off so fast that he could not be any quicker.
He could be heard as he is taking off saying
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"