With some of the coldest weather to hit the UK in almost a decade vets up and down the country are issuing warnings to keep pets and beds warm during the winter.

Any hutches, cages and beds should be moved inside and extra warm bedding should be provided. Even if it’s not feasible to bring your pet in to the home moving them to a garage or shed is the next best thing. Animals in hutches or cages in the garden are the most easily forgotten about; this is mainly due to it getting dark early. Even though most animals are covered in fur or feathers the weather is so severe at the moment that it could be life threatening.

Land animals are not the only ones to be threatened by the weather. If you have a pond it’s a good idea to float a large ball on the surface so that if the surface freezes over you can remove the ball and provide enough oxygen for any fish.

Dogs and cats should not be allowed to spend too much time outside and when you do go outside don’t let them lie on the ground for too long. Obviously dogs need exercise, however it’s recommended that you take dogs for shorter walks more often if possible. If your animal gets wet, make sure you dry them off with a towel as soon as possible.

It is not just standard house pets that need care in the winter; wild birds need extra help also as snow and ice make it difficult for them to find food. Feeding birds with nuts, seeds and making sure they have enough water could be key to their survival. A nesting box with some warm material could also provide them with much needed shelter.

Finally it is essential that all animals are not dehydrated so make sure to provide them with fresh, clean water whenever you can.

The local animal shelter has come up with a new program called “Adopt a Dog for Christmas.” Todd McCray decides his family should take a dog from the program for the week before Christmas. However, there is one big problem with Todd’s plan. He is a 20 year-old, mentally handicapped, adult-child still living at home on the farm in Kansas with his parents and his Dad doesn’t want a dog. Todd can be very persuasive so it doesn’t take him long to convince his father that this is a good plan. George, his father, tells Todd that he will agree to the plan, but that Todd must realize Christmas ends on December 26 and the dog goes back to the shelter on that day. Todd understands and promises that the dog will be returned to the shelter.

While they are at the shelter picking out their dog, Todd asks the shelter director what will happen to the other dogs. He is very concerned when he learns that those dogs will spend Christmas in their kennels at the shelter.

It has been a McCray Christmas custom to hold an open house on the Sunday before Christmas and nearly all the families in their small town stop by. At that open house, Todd begins telling everyone about the shelter and the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas” program. Gradually he enlists enough families so that every dog is adopted for Christmas week.

Well, as you can imagine, in the week that “Christmas” stays with the McCrays, he worms his way into each heart, especially George’s. George, however, is determined to teach Todd that when you make a promise who must keep it. George has also had some heart-wrenching experiences with dogs in the past and he isn’t sure that he can survive giving his love to another dog.

There is no doubt that this is a Christmas story first, but it is also the story of a man struggling to be a good parent and a family that is fully supportive of each member. There are so many stories about dysfunctional families, it is wonderful to read about a real family working together to really help each other. If you are a read-aloud together family, a Dog Named Christmas was written for you! If you just want a Christmas story to enjoy, you will not find a better selection. If you get as caught up with George McCray as I did, you can read his story in the prequel, Christmas with Tucker. Be sure to add these to your bookshelf. Put them right beside Miracle on 34th Street.

Lucile Nelson. Librarian
BS in ED – KU
MLS – ESU
As a librarian, I have read and reviewed hundreds of books. I now have time to share those reviews with the public at large. My love affair with a great dog story started years ago when my first dog “followed me home” from school as I fed him my left over lunch sandwich. Stop by my blog and check out other great stories and authors that are my favorites! Thanks, Lucile