‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

Back by popular demand, we share our “Twas the Night Before Christmas – Herd Style” that was first published December 25, 2013.

Of course, we should clarify who demanded it. The Hu-Dad.

Something about wanting a day off from writing the blog. Sigh. We do all of the hard work of creating the mischief that turns into his tales, but he still whined about a day off. Queen Natasha went to tell him to work anyway, but apparently there was some negotiation.

I think we can reach an agreement, Hu-Dad.
I think we can reach an agreement, Hu-Dad.

The next thing we knew, Hu-Dad had the day off and we are repeating the poem. So, once again, with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, we offer our own, Herd version of “A Visit from St. Nicholas”:

Twas the Night Before Christmas – Herd Style

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Chez Herd
Not a Siberian was howling, not even a word;
The stockings were hung very high out of reach,
In hopes that no dog would be able to breech;

The Sibes were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of slow squirrels danced in their heads;
I smiled and patted myself on the back,
Pleased I had actually settled the whole pack,

When out in the kitchen arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what Typhoon did splatter.
Away through the den I flew like a flash,
Tripped over some dog toys and fell with a crash.

My head hit an object with quite a strong blow
Made the room spin wildly and tilt to and fro
When what weird vision my rattled brain provides,
But a miniature dog sled and six hungry Sibes,

Frightful was the driver in the upheaval,
For it was, of course, Queen Natasha the Evil.
More rapid than Frankie in avoiding any blame,
She whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now, Kiska! Hurry while hu-dad is in a swoon.
On, Qannik, Cheoah, Frankie and lil’ Typhoon!
To the top of the couch! to the top of the wall!
Wreak havoc, wreak havoc, wreak havoc to all!”

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, leap to the sky;
So up to the countertops the Sibes they flew
And took full, complete advantage of dad-hu

And then, in a twinkling, I realized their cause
The prancing and clicking of all their paws.
As I held my head, and was turning around,
Down the sliced ham and turkey came with a bound.

Food all covered with fur, and six dogs underfoot,
I decided the best choice was to stay put;
A bag of dog toys she had flung on her back,
Queen Natasha the Evil cheering her pack.

Her eyes—how they twinkled! Her dimples, how merry!
Her ears were like radar, Her cheeks all hairy!
Her droll little mouth was stuffed with stolen loot,
And sprinkles and crumbs of leftovers on her snoot;

The stump of a bone she held tight in her teeth,
And the plunder encircled her head like a wreath;
She has a cute face and an innocent smile
But all of that is designed to hide her guile.

As she climbed high to retrieve loot on the shelf,
And I laughed when I saw her, in spite of myself;
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head
Soon gave me to know I had everything to dread;

She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And helped The Herd plunder the kitchen with her smirk,
And laying her paw aside the bridge of my nose,
The message was clear, I would utter no “No’s”;

She raced from the room, to her team she did bristle,
With their loot, away they all flew like a missile.
But I heard them exclaim, ere they dove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Merry Christmas
The Queen commands you to have a Merry Christmas!

To all of our readers, we wish you the Merriest of Christmas (and if you don’t celebrate Christmas, we wish you the best possible day as well!).

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11 Comments

  1. KJ Pierson on December 26, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    Merry Belated Christmas Herd, as well as their humans 🙂

  2. Shyuki on December 26, 2015 at 3:17 am

    Merry Christmas to the Chez Herd. We never get bored of the Chex Herd version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Herd Style. A story worth repeating every year. Thank you for your yearlong present of daily adventures at Chez Herd. Everyday we look forward to the ongoing perspective of life according to 6 sibes and the humans they own. We love you all!

  3. Billie Rhodes on December 25, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Merry Christmas Chez Herd!

  4. Juno's mom on December 25, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Merry Christmas to all of you and thank you for another year of sharing your furry family with all of us.

  5. rottrover on December 25, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Merry Christmas, Herd!!

    -Otto

  6. Dennis the Vizsla on December 25, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    hello thundering herd its dennis the vizsla dog hay mary krismas to all of yoo frum all of us!!! i hope yoo gut sum holiday popkorn for all that wurk yoo do arownd their!!! ok bye

  7. Lori on December 25, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Hahaha! Love Love Love “…the Night Before Christmas”!!!!!!! Huge warm wishes for a fun filled Christmas Day with treats galore for the entire Herd????

  8. Jack & Moo on December 25, 2015 at 8:48 am

    Ho Ho Ho! What a fun Christmas tail!

    (Naturally we were rooting fur the sibes!)
    Jack & Moo
    Merry Christmas to all the Herd!

  9. Jane on December 25, 2015 at 5:07 am

    Merry Christmas to the whole herd. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Big hugs and kisses to the herd.

  10. Vincent porrazzo on December 25, 2015 at 4:24 am

    Wishing the Thundering Herd a very Merry Christmas and many treats in your stockings!
    Vincent with Silky and Nacho

  11. Shelley Crabb on December 25, 2015 at 4:01 am

    Merry Christmas to the herd, and and the hu-dad!

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