Old Dog and the Christmas Wish [Hardcover]

Christine Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2006

It is Christmas Eve, and an old dog lies in the yard, alone and forgotten. Beyond the fence something is about to happen that will awaken the strong spirit that still runs deep within his tired old bones. Whispers of a Christmas wish will reach the heavens, and suddenly anything is possible on this very special night. Old Dog and the Christmas Wish is for anyone who believes in Christmas miracles....and for those of you not quite certain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No one who reads this sweet story of Christmas magic will have a dry eye. The book has the deceptive simplicity of "The Little Prince" - a kind of fairy tale for grown-ups and older children. Davis is a gifted storyteller and magical illustrator. She is a Portland treasure whose emotionally honest books add a note of grace, gentleness and kindness to our lives. Old Dog and the Christmas Wish will bring magic back to the holiday of any animal lover." --Deborah Wood, The Oregonian

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lighthearted Press Inc. (June 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965922537
• ISBN-13: 978-0965922531
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When I was a child I had two great passions in my life - spending my days with our animals and spending my nights gazing at the starry skies, pondering the distant heavens. My mother was certain I would either become a veterinarian or an astronomer. But life has a funny way of taking us down unexpected roads, and I wound up following a business path that satisfied the left side of my brain but kept the right side quiet, longing for expression. I just couldn't stop thinking about those stars!

So I left the corporate workplace in 1996 to pursue my true heart's calling...my soul work. I was looking for a way to celebrate the creatures with whom we share this planet, and to thank them for the many gifts they had brought to me. I thought my beloved dog, Martha, would be by my side on this magical journey. I had no idea this mysterious creature, who had been born into my arms 13 years earlier, would become ill and I would have to continue on without her. As I grieved the loss of my dearest friend, I couldn't understand this was all part of a much larger plan.

I never would have believed I'd meet Jake, the magnificent dog who walked by my side when I began my journey as a writer/illustrator. I never, EVER, would have known I'd be blessed to have Dickens, Pippen, Molly & Star - a litter of 4 magical kittens - enter my life. So many miracles...all on four paws!

I didn't know I'd give birth to five books - Forever Paws, For Every Dog An Angel, For Every Cat An Angel, Old Dog & the Christmas Wish, and The Shelter Dog... books that celebrate our timeless connection with animals... books overflowing with paintings of starry skies.

I've learned much from my passions. The animals have taught me about letting go, for they so often leave long before we are ready to say goodbye. The heavens have inspired me to never give up on my dreams, for on those days when the dream seems a little far away I remember it is only resting up in the stars, waiting for me to call it back home.

Chris Davis lives in Portland, Oregon with her kitties Molly and Star.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful seasonal picturebook celebrating faith and love., November 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Dog and the Christmas Wish (Hardcover)

Written and illustrated by animal lover Christine Davis, Old Dog and the Christmas Wish is a gentle picturebook for young readers about an old dog near the end of his life, and a Christmas angel who grants his selfless wish. When the old dog sees a Christmas manger carving, he notices that several wooden animals are there to greet the birth of a very special baby, but no dog. He wants to join the animals more than anything else, and as his time on Earth comes to a close during Christmas Eve, the angel gives him the opportunity to do just that. A delightful seasonal picturebook celebrating faith and love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Please preview the book., November 7, 2010

By 

Joan D. "Serenebeader" (Eugene, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Dog and the Christmas Wish (Hardcover)

I saw this book in a bookstore, and first noted the wonderful illistrations. But 2 pages into the book I couldn't read any further because my eyes were blurred by tears. Yes, I tend to be emotional when it comes to animals, and we recently lost a beloved dog. But I would NEVER have chosen this book for my daughter who was very sensitive about pets and the "under-dog"; we could never watch Frosty the Snowman because he melted!
To make a long story short, read the book yourself, and make sure is appropriate for the child you are giving it to. Some children are just to sensitive, or young, to learn the intended lesson, and it's not worth the tears at this beautiful time of the year.

I'm sure the majority of children will love this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars sweet story, February 1, 2009

By 

kayla croce-hunt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Dog and the Christmas Wish (Hardcover)

I don't have children, but I am an advocate for pets and bought this book for my nephew for christmas. It's a very sweet and thoughtful story. I remember seeing pets that were not treated well as a child and feeling horrible about it, especially since I couldn't do anything for them. A book like this would have made me feel a little better.