‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Dogolas soon would be there; the animals were nestled all snug in their beds… 

Hey, wait, what are you doing there, Mollie?

You can’t wait there in the kindling box, Mollie. Santa will never come down the chimney with you watching like that. Go to bed. Look, there’s Sylvester. Curl up like him in your bed.

And Sam, you and Zoe need to go to bed as well. Go on back to the bedroom.

Zoe, stop looking out the window. You won’t be able to see Santa there. He’ll come around the back of the house and land on the roof.

“Roof!?”

Yes, Zoe, the roof.

There, that’s better.

And you, too, Mollie.

It’s hard to see you there, Mollie, all curled up next to your mama, but if your mama is OK with you lying there, it’s ok with me. And Santa, too.

Now, everyone settle your brains for a long winter’s nap,

He’s chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. I’m sure we’ll see him, if I say so myself.

Will he come to our house before we sleep? Let’s be careful and quiet, not making a peep.

Out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
What to my wondering eyes should appear,

A little old furkid, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Dog.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his leash was all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Dog Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

… laying his paw aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“ … and to all a good night!”

We here on top of the mountain with everyone a holiday filled with happiness, rainbows, sun dogs, pink clouds, and good cheer.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Dogolas soon would be there; the animals were settled as snug in their beds…

Well, Sam, no one is sleeping with those headlights staring at them. Go to sleep, settle in with Zoe.

There, that’s better, although perhaps not all that dignified.

Everyone in bed, Mollie. That will be fine if that’s where you want to sleep.

Yes, St. Dogolas can find you there. He sees you when you’re sleeping.

Sylvester, if you want to sleep inside, you better close those eyes.

Now, everyone settle your brains for a long winter’s nap,

He’s chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. I’m sure we’ll see him, if I say so myself.

Will he come to our house before we sleep? Let’s be careful and quiet, not making a peep.

Out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
What to my wondering eyes should appear,

A little old furkid, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Dog.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his leash was all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Dog Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

… laying his paw aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“ … and to all a good night!”

From Leah, Mark, Sam, Zoe, Sylvester, Chloe, Dusty and Mollie.

Tonight we remember the animals that left us most recently.

Zeke and his brother from another mother, Elroy.

Elroy lived in Littleton, Colorado. He was with us when I visited last year. He was getting old then, and we were worried about him. When I left, I told him I expected him to be there the next time I came out to visit. But it was not to be.

They are gifts, but here only for a while.

Gather ‘round, doggies and kitties, it’s Christmas Eve, and time for the Christmas story of a visit from …

Well, Zoe, it looks like no one else is interested, so I’ll tell you about the visit of St. Dogolas. The story has been told many times, to the dogs and cats here today, to the dogs and cats that are no longer with us, and maybe to dogs and cats yet to come. It goes like this:

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a …

Well, Zoe, you’re really supposed to be asleep, you and Sam both, but how can I tell you the story if you’re asleep?

Well, everyone seems to be asleep except me.

And you, Zoe.

Let’s forget the story. It’s late, but I’m going to stay awake to see whether St. Dogolas comes tonight, bringing doggy chews and cat treats for all the good little dogs and cats. And you can stay up, too Zoe. We’ll just wait here together to see. I’m sure he will be here tonight. He has come every other Christmas since, well, since a long time ago.

He’s chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. I’m sure we’ll see him, if I say so myself.

Will he come to our house before we sleep? Let’s be careful and quite, not making a peep.

So he came by the house as we waited. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.

… laying his paws aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“ … and to all a good night!”

From Leah, Mark, Sam, Zoe, Sylvester, Chloe, Dusty and Mollie.

Tonight we remember all the animals who are no longer with us.

… when all thro’ the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a …

Wait, Mollie, you can’t stay beside the stove. Santa won’t come down the chimney if you’re waiting there. Go on, now, go to bed.

Smokey, you’re wide awake.

And you, too, Sylvester. I see those eyes open.

That’s better.

No, Mollie, you can’t hide behind the toaster oven, either.

Dusty, get out of the birdbath and go to bed. Get in your house. Santa will see you for sure out there! Chloe? Is that you? Go to bed!

Mollie! You can’t hide behind Leah’s old childhood teddy bear. Oh, that’s what you want for Christmas? Well, maybe Santa will bring one.

Molllie, don’t just hide your eyes pretending to be asleep. Put your head down and go to sleep!

There, that’s better. I think.

Zeke, close the eyes, go to sleep, OK?

You, too, Sam. Those eyes, Sam, close those eyes! Santa will definitely see those eyes!

Good dogs.

Chloe, go to bed. The bed heaters are plugged in, so you’ll be warm.

OK, you can sleep inside.

Now I think everyone is in bed and asleep.

And soon, we’ll be visited by that right jolly old elf …

St. Dogolas!

And so, from Leah, Mark, Zeke, Chloe, Dusty, Sylvester, Smokey, Sam, and Mollie

and to all a good night!

In memoriam: Zoe, gone since Fall 2014,

Rusty, gone since 2015.

and Lucy, gone since April 2018.

… when all thro’ the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a …

Wait, Smokey, you’re wide awake.

Put your head down and go to sleep.

Well, you didn’t have to take me literally, but that’s OK, thats a good cat.

Now, where we were. Oh, yes, not a creature … Zeke? You need to go to sleep.

Go find Sam and get right to sleep. That’s a good dog.

Chloe? Why aren’t you asleep? Leave Dusty alone and go to bed.

That’s good.

Lucy, cover up and go to sleep. Yes, you can use the other cover if you want.

That’s good. Sleep tight!

Now, where is Mollie? Mollie, this is your first Christmas with us. You need to get to bed or Santa won’t come. Mollie? You can’t sleep there, and you’re not asleep anyway, are you?

That’s not your bed.

That either.

No, you can’t watch the stove. And, besides, Santa doesn’t come down our chimney like that.

Mollie, just find a place and go to sleep, OK? Everyone is tired.

It’s OK if you want to sleep there, but you’re not going to see Santa. Maybe you can find a more comfortable place to sleep.

Yes, that’s good. Just don’t roll over.

Now, is everyone in bed?

Wait! Who? Mr. Owl, I think you’re lost.

Be careful of the reindeer on your way out!

Now I think everyone is in bed and asleep.

And soon, we’ll be visited by that right jolly old elf …

St. Dogolas!

And so, from Leah, Mark, Zeke, Lucy, Chloe, Dusty, Sylvester, Smokey, Sam, and Mollie

and to all a good night!

In memoriam: Zoe, gone since Fall 2014,

and Rusty, gone since 2015.