Juno's Holiday Story
Juno, the dog, sat at home one day,
He couldn't work and wouldn't play.
He was discouraged and annoyed,
This sad puppy dog was unemployed.
He had many interviews,
That always ended in bad news.
He would go but they would say,
"We're not hiring puppy dogs today."
"This is not discrimination,"
Juno said, "It's about determination.
I’ll hold my head and tail high,
I'll find a job, I’ll try, try, try!"
Then his people got the paper out.
They took a look and began to shout.
With excitement, they read this ad:
"Santa needs ten helpers real bad."
"Come tomorrow morn’ at eight
There's work to do. Don't be late."
Juno combed his fur real fine.
Even gave the inside of his ears a shine.
By seven, a crowd began to meet
At Santa's home on North Pole Street.
Juno couldn't believe his eyes.
He was surrounded by little guys.
"You’re not a reindeer!" exclaimed the crowd.
"No. I'm a dog," Juno said, real proud.
"You're a dog? What can you do?"
"Whatever Santa wants me to."
Juno stretched straight and tall on his paws,
"I came to work for Mr. Claus.
My people read to me, his ad.
That said he needs helpers real bad."
"Your problem's sure to be your size,
The ad was for us little guys!
Don't be embarrassed that you came,
But dog helpers and elf helpers are NOT the same."
"Even though you're not an elf,
Please talk to Santa Claus yourself.
I'll take you to him right away.
I'm one of his elves, call me Paul K."
And after Paul K. let Santa know,
Old Santa chuckled , "
"Just tell your people that they need
To wear their glasses when they read."
"I'll think of something. Until then,
We'll keep you in the reindeer pen.
And maybe you can learn to serve
As reindeer back-up, in reserve."
The reindeer said, "Juno, if you try,
We promise you will learn to fly."
But Juno was bigger than a reindeer and, therefore, a little slow.
His heavy paws slid in the snow.
Heard through the ceiling was a "
WOOF! "When landing on the practice roof.
After a while, Juno began to fear,
That you can't make a puppy dog into a reindeer.
The reindeer team didn't seem to care.
Said "Way to go" and "Hang in there."
There were so many times that he fell.
But soon Juno learned to fly real well.
Prancer and Juno liked to play,
They practiced take-offs everyday.
Did spins and dips and flips and stuff
They both just couldn't fly enough.
They flew too long and Juno froze
His ears, his face, and his nose.
When his face thawed, his ears thawed too,
But Juno's nose stayed frozen
And there it was for all to see,
His nose was blue, as blue as can be.
And it was also very bright,
It made a lovely, wondrous light.
Whenever Juno blinked an eye
His flashing nose lit up the sky.
All the reindeer came to see
And have a little reindeer glee.
When Santa saw it, he looked grim.
And Juno’s nose began to dim.
He said to Santa, "Are you mad?"
Santa recovered, "No. I'm glad!"
"For now I know just what you'll be.
You'll be our dog for an emergency!
I'm sorry, but I must confess,
At times we lose someone's address."
"So when we miss a girl or lad,
We never want to leave them sad.
We've always needed someone who
Could go to them. Now, we have you."
"You can return, think of this:
Your work will cover what we miss.
Your gorgeous blue nose with that glow
Will safely guide you through the snow."
"And when folks see that blinking blue,
All of the world will know it's you.
They'll all wave and they will cheer,
'JUNO… the blue-nosed puppy dog is here!' "
So Juno pulls his little sleigh,
With the help of Circe and the elf named Paul K.
His blue nose blinking through the air.
He makes special runs to get gifts there.
Juno now is filled with joy
Because he is Santa’s helper boy.
He looks forward to Christmas Eve night
And to flying through the sky by his blue light.
So go to bed and dream away,
For soon it will be Christmas day.
We all can rest real well because,
Our dog, Juno, is helping Santa Claus.
Modified version of "Eddie, The Elk" written by Bob Tucker
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