T'was the night before Dog-mas,
 when all through the pound
 not a puppy was yelping,
 or playing around;

 Our leashes were hung
 by our kennels with care,
 in hopes that St. Bernard
 would soon find us there;

 Chihuahuas were curled up,
 all snug in their beds,
 while visions of doggie-treats
 danced in their heads;

 Max in his collar,
 on somebody's lap,
 had tucked in his tail
 for a midwinter's nap,

 When outside the room
 there arose such a clatter,
 my ears perked right up
 to hear what was the matter.

 Away to the window
 I jumped up with glee,
 and barked at the shadows
 that were cast by a tree.

 The glow from the moon
 changed night into day,
 and started me thinking,
 Woof, woof! Time to play!

 When, what with my puppy-dog eyes did I see,
 But a splendid dog-sled,
 led by doggies like me.
 With a regal furred driver
 commanding, not stern.
 I yelped to the others,
 That must be St. Bern!

 More rapid than greyhounds
 our saviors they came,
 and we barked and we howled,
 and called them by name:

 There's Duchess! There's King!
 Fat Chance, and Bare Buffy!
 On Fido! On Scooter!
 On, Rover and Scruffy!

 Go by the red hydrant
 and run past those trees!
 Nothing can stop you,
 not even some fleas!

 As puppies at play
 chase after a stick
 and race to their masters
 so lively and quick,

 So out in the field
 his canines all flew,
 catching the Frisbees,
 that St. Bernard threw.

 And then in an instant,
 I heard at the door
 the scratching and clawing
 of each little paw.

 As I pulled in my nose,
 and was turning around,
 Through the door St. Bernard
 came in with a bound.

 He was dressed all in fur,
 from his head to his tail,
 his wood cask adorned
 with an icing of hail;

 A bag of chew-toys he had
 brought in with him,
 and his mouth was turned up
 in what looked like a grin.

 His eyes - how they twinkled!
 His ears flopped, how merry!
 His coat shone like crystal,
 his nose like a cherry!

 His big sloppy mouth
 was drawn up like a bow,
 and the fur on his chin
 was as white as the snow;

 The stump of a bone
 he held tight in his teeth,
 and his collar encircled
 his neck like a wreath;

 He had a large face
 and a furry, round belly
 that shook when he barked,
 like a bowl full of jelly.

 He was fluffy and plump,
 a big, cuddly old pooch
 and I laughed when I saw him
 and gave him a smooch.

 A wink of his eye and
 a wag of his tail;
 we knew right away
 we'd have homes, without fail.

 He howled not a howl, but
 went straight to his deed,
 and took down our leashes
 that soon we would need.

 He opened the door,
 and families stood there,
 with children, all smiling,
 and much love to spare.

 He leapt to his sled,
 to his team gave a call,
 and away they all flew
 as if chasing a ball.

 But I heard him exclaim
 as he chewed on a bone:

 Happy Dog-mas to all,
 and to all a Good Home!

Author Unknown