TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Mammele Family Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, and Rock was asleep;
From Lily and Rosie not even a peep.
Beau was all snuggled up tight with his fur;
Korina hoping that Santa would not forget her,

For she’d been the good one in that household of three.
Oreo’d snooped daily under the tree
And on top of the counter and under the table,
Thinking, “I’ll find my presents RIGHT NOW if I’m able.”

Bailey was faking sleep, but her tail
Was twitching as fast as a flag in a gale.
She hoped to catch sight of dear Santa and kiss
His whiskers or nose or ears – she wouldn’t miss.

She was bound to make Santa see she’d been good.
She’d do a dance for him till he understood
That he must leave some gifts for her people and her.
“Gee, wouldn’t I look greyt in more fur?”

Thought Bailey, then paused,
For up on the roof she heard old Santa Claus!
Lily heard, too, and then growled, but in error.
Rosie was trembling slightly with terror.

Rock raised his head and said, “Santa’s okay.
He’s got toys and treats for us inside his sleigh.”
Santa came in to each greyhound’s house.
To Rosie’s cats he gave each one a mouse.

He filled Rock’s stocking and Lily’s, but said,
“Young lady, shouldn’t you be tucked in bed,
Not growling at me, one of your few friends?”
Lily was sorry, but that’s not where this ends.

Santa entered Leslie’s and saw Oreo, Beau,
And Korina – the good one – as we all know.
“Oreo,” Santa said, with a sly little smile,
“You and I must have a talk for a while.”

Oreo shook until his fur quivered.
Beau sneaked away and Korina just shivered.
Santa said, “Why can’t you behave, my friend?
Why must you make your mom want to send

You away to a home for the unwanted hounds?
You have to learn exactly what’s out of bounds
In this house where your mom, Beau, and Korina are kind.
You must learn that greyhounds must learn how to mind.”

Then Oreo looked up at Santa so sadly,
And said, “I know I’ve behaved very badly.
I’ve eaten things nobody said that I should.
I know my mom wants me to try to be good.

But, Santa, it’s HARD to be good when you’re me!
Santa, I’ve tried and I just cannot see
Where being good gets you, but I’ll try once more.
Please fill my stocking, too, and you can be sure

I’ll start tomorrow to be good as can be.
Just wait, Santa, just wait and you’ll see!”
So Santa, kind man that he is as we know,
Filled stockings for each, then he said, “I must go.

I have many more houses to stop at tonight
And my reindeer are up there poised to take flight.”
With that Santa smiled and away he did go,
With a last shout of, “Better behave, Oreo!”