With apologies to Clement Clark Moore, and nearly everyone else...

Twas the day before Christmas and all cross Tempe

The folks were all happy, even Momma and me.

Our granddaughter’s still sleeping, tho’ the sun is quite high

It’s peaceful and quiet, and that ain’t no lie.

The parlor is filled with a tree very large

And the cupboards bear treats like the load on a barge.

Under the tree are presents and gifts

Wrapped with love giving spirits a lift.

Relations renewed with family and friends

To strengthen the circle that death does not end.

Tomorrow’s the day that we reverence His birth

With giving and loving, and joy for the earth.

A loss in the family.

From my son's FaceBook wall: "17 years ago, my mom brought home four puppies that she'd found abandoned along a busy road in San Antonio, TX. We were able to convince my dad to let us keep one of them and I named him Miller. He was with me when I finished high school. He was with me when I got married, and he was with us when I set out on my military career. He was with us when I came home from Korea, and he was with us when I came home from Bosnia. He was with us when I left the Army and returned to civilian life. He was with us when my daughter, Sydney was born, and he was with us during the attacks of 9/11. He was even with us when Sam and I celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary. From the beginning of my adult life he has been with me. Last night I fed him a 3/4 lb. slab of Prime Rib followed by a bowl of Jim Beam chicken soup. This morning I took him to McDonald's for a sausage biscuit breakfast and he was put to rest at 8:11 this AM in no pain. He's lived in 3 different states and has touched many lives. If there ever was an example of how loving and loyal one dog can be it is the one I call Miller."