What shall we give the puppies?
Christmas is almost here.
Bones and tugs and Pig Ears,
as we do every year?
Yes, for the magic of Toyland
(make that Petland)
Is part of the Yuletide lore
To gladden the heart of puppyhood
But I shall give something more.
I shall give them patience,
(as they countersurf the Christmas dinner)
A more sympathetic ear,
(as they ahrooooo at their passing friends at 5 a.m.)
A little more time for laughter,
(as they tuckbutt run through the Christmas Tree)
Or tenderly dry a tear.
(after cat chasing results in a bloody big black nose)
I shall take time to teach them
The joy of doing some task.
(sit-stay. . . I said stay, Bilbo, Frodo, STAYYYYYY!)
I'll try to find time to answer
More of the questions they ask.
(like why the cat doesn't like chasing!)
Time to read books together,
(HFOL and TAID, of course)
And take long walks in the sun.
(slow down boys! oh no a squirrellllllllll!!!!)
Time for a bedtime story,
after the day is done.
(They love the one about Sherry and the Trash Can and the guacamole! . . .)
I shall give these to my puppies,
Weaving a closer tie,
(Bilbo and Frodo, move over so dad has a place in the bed!)
Knittng our lives together
(must you both follow me into the bathroom?)
With gifts that money can't buy.
(BigNosePokes, CrotchSnaps, Happy Dances and more!)
| 
PAGE 13