Christmas Dog

Debbie and I went out for dinner tonight, to the Descanso Junction restaurant — one of our favorite local spots. One of its charms (in addition, of course, to the fine food and cheerful help) is the collection of paper “stuff” they have under the clear tops of all the tables. These usually range from nostalgic pictures to magazine articles to granma’s recipes — entertaining reading, always. Tonight they had the joint decked out for Christmas, right down to thematic materials under those clear table tops. On our table there was this delightful poem (especially if you’re a dog person), a take-off on “'Twas the Night Before Christmas":

CHRISTMAS DOG (by Shel Silverstein)

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,

And here it is Christmas Eve.

The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,

While I’m guardin' the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now — footsteps on the rooftop?

Could it be a cat or a mouse?

Who’s this down the chimney?

A thief with a beard — And a big sack for robbin' the house?

What’s going on here?

I’m barkin', I’m growlin', I’m bitin' his butt.

He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.

I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.

I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.

The stockin’s are safe as can be.

Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow

And see how I’ve guarded the tree!

And there’s more!