A Dog Named Christmas (Hardcover)

by Greg Kincaid (Author)
Key Phrases: Mary Ann, Cherokee County, Kill Creek (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this heartwarming novel, author Greg Kincaid tells the tender story of how one very special dog changed the lives of his adoptive family—and an entire town—forever.


“Todd, they always want you to adopt a dog. That’s what they do. Besides, we don’t need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog.”

When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.

But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men—and animals.

About the Author

GREG KINCAID, when not writing, is a practicing lawyer, specializing in divorce and family law mediation. He lives on a farm in eastern Kansas with his wife, three horses, two dogs, and two cats.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385525982
• ISBN-13: 978-0385525985
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,973 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touch-your-heart taik, oops...tale, November 6, 2008

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Just in time for the holidays is a touching story of a young man, his doubting father and a stray dog.

Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man, hears about a special program the local animal shelter is running for the holidays. In an effort to clear the shelter for the holidays when there is not enough staff available to care for the animals, the town shelter is asking the public to "bring a dog home just for the holidays." The idea is that families will choose a dog to visit them for a couple of weeks at Christmastime and then return the dog after the holidays are over.

Todd immediately wants his family to participate, but his dad, who in the past has dealt with the death of two very special dogs, wants no part of the program. Given the title of the book and that it is a holiday release, it is fairly obvious from the beginning that the McCrays are going to participate. To what extent they become involved and how their involvement changes their lives is really what the book is about.

I initially had some trouble with the basic idea behind the book. I worried about how the dogs that were taken back to the shelters after Christmas would feel. Would they think they had done something wrong? Would it be harder on them to have been in a family and returned than not have had a family at all? Finally I quelled those feelings and just sat back and read the book. I'm glad I did.

In this relatively short book (the actual story is only 143 pages long), author Greg Kincaid has written a story so warm, so tender that it will have readers both laughing and crying at the same time.

Armchair Interviews says: A Dog Named Christmas will give readers a shot of pure Christmas joy.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book for anyone who loves dogs!, November 6, 2008

By	G. Fritz (Kansas City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A Dog Named Christmas is the perfect holiday read. The story is about a unique young man who shows his family and others the meaning of Christmas through his devotion to a dog adopted from a shelter. Anyone who has worked on behalf of homeless pets will cheer this important message. I recommend this book to any dog lover. Even better, adopt a homeless dog and read the book together.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book for the holidays, November 5, 2008

By	J. Melton (Prairie Village KS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Greg Kincaid has captured the essence of pet adoption in this short, timely book for the holidays. When they turn a pet into an adoption agency, people give many reasons why a pet "didn't work out," and many of the reasons translate to, "It just wasn't convenient." Adopting a pet is a commitment, not a convenience. Greg's story shows us the healing power of love between family members -- pets included. I'm going to give copies of the book to everyone for Christmas, and to the assisted living facility where my mom is, so that they can read it aloud at Story Time. They will love it!