The Puppy That Came for Christmas: How a Dog Brought One Family the Gift of Joy

by Megan Rix

A perfect gift for dog lovers, The Puppy That Came for Christmas is the  heart-warming true story of the little dog that changed one couple’s life forever. 

All Megan Rix ever wanted was a baby. Yet, month after month, Megan’s dreams were dashed. Would her life ever feel complete? Megan and her husband, Ian, found a surprising answer when they began training golden retriever pups to become service dogs for people with disabilities. But opening their homes and hearts up to Emma, and then Freddy—only to have each move on after six months—eventually took its own toll. Megan and Ian didn't know if they could continue. Then, one Christmas, little Traffy came along and stayed...

An instant international bestseller, The Puppy That Came for Christmas is a heartwarming and inspirational story that will captivate dog lovers everywhere.


Perfect  • White elephant gifts • Animal lover gifts • Dog gifts • Gifts for dog lovers • Christmas gifts

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Christmas, Dogs, Memoir, Family, Autobiography

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I am a bad/crazy animal lover, I have four cats, I take my friends dogs out. I cannot wait to retire to get my own dog...

I am a big softy for a true story especially when animals are involved, so a nice light read here.

A enjoyable light read, Megan Rix does explain well the work involved in having a puppy and the importance of training the beautiful puppies for six months so they are ready to work with all kinds of people with different disabilities.

So why a three star book, I enjoy the book, I feel the heartbreak of giving a dog back, actually not sure if I could do it. But maybe we could have more humour in the doggy stories, more heartfelt comical laughs.

Also a lot of the book is about Megan and her struggle alongside her devoted husband of trying for a baby, but was this a doggy story or my personal story, a little mixed.

But what I am sure about our both the couples devotion to the dogs, the work they did for the charity, and their loves of their dogs.

Three stars.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story

“The Puppy that came for Christmas” is really a lovely story about a family who works hard to get their puppy.

The author does a wonderful job of blending one family's story with the workings and beginnings of helper dogs.

I really like this book and I think anyone who wants to read it will, as well.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.

I would just like to clear up a few things I felt weren't completely corrected about foster care. I've been fostering for 12 years and have had 21 foster children between the ages of 4 days up to age 7. We take them on all our vacations and many outings. We generally foster only one at a time but right now have two children age 3 and 4. This month alone we've been to the Zoo's festival of lights, conservatory's train display, two Christmas parties and many other places. We have taken past foster children to Disney World, different parts of Florida, Mammoth Cave, Smokey Mountains and many other weekend or week long vacations and have had little to no problems. We belong to the YMCA and go to many different places every week. It is true that foster children generally have more issues than your typical child and fostering isn't for everyone but with the exception of one of my foster children the rest improved greatly in our home and were just like a typical child after only a few weeks. Even the one I would say had the most issues improved in our home and I didn't have too many issues taking her places either.

Also, all of our foster children's visits are at an agency and not in my home. I only have drop them off and pick them up. The only time I have to meet the parents is when the child is going back to them and I transport the child to their home. I have meet everyone of my foster children's parents except one with no problems. The visits are usually only once a week, occasionally two. This could be different since I am in the US and the author lives in a different country, however.

I only wanted to clear that up in case someone was considering fostering and was turned off by these things. I have enjoyed it and am very rewarded by my experience fostering over the past 12 years. It is not for everyone though and I respect Megan's choice to not go that route. It is very hard when they leave and it's also hard dealing with the agency at times. Taking care of the children on a day to day bases is the easy part.

[Ashly Lynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really tried to read this book; I really did. But, I found myself bored out of my mind. Rix's writing is tedious, uneventful, and repetitive. I gave up on page 68. This is a short book with large print that I should have been able to finish in 2 days – 3 tops. It's been almost two weeks. I found myself not wanting to pick this book up and actually read 1 other book 3 comic compilations, and a graphic novel in between. I never found myself wanting to go back to this book, so it was time to give it up. Good thing I only paid $1.89 at Goodwill for this. It's such a shame I didn't like this book; I love dogs.

[Lori Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a dog lover, I thought I would really enjoy this book, but I found it just plain boring.

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this exceptional story, Megan Rix takes readers on her journey of becoming a puppy parent for a Helper Dogs organization. I was simply amazed to read about the things these service dogs are trained to do for the disabled! Dogs can do laundry? Really?! And that's just one of the amazing things these dogs can do. While I was reading this book I had taken a break to do some shopping and actually saw a helper dog in the department store. My mind was immediately on this story. I now have such an appreciation for these dogs and the talents of their trainers and puppy parents.

I don't know how the puppy parents do it though. Through Megan Rix's eyes I saw how attached she became to her trainer puppies. Who wouldn't be? My heart broke for her after the couple months were up and the puppy she had spoiled with love had to move on to the next phase of their training. Megan went through the process twice - raising two successful puppies in training which is a feat because service dogs must be nearly perfect. This was especially impressive because she had never owned a dog before. As much as she wanted to keep these dogs as her own, I know it was rewarding for her to hear about the difference they were making in the life of a person with a disability. Service dogs are often the reason these people wake up in the morning. It's very sweet.

Another side of this story was the struggle Megan and her husband, Ian, had with trying to have a baby. It warmed my heart that a dog could become so special in her life that it helped ease her pain with infertility issues. I adored reading about how much these animals were loved. You will too!

[Melissa Messmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

An annoying, tedious read. Sounded like it would be good, but I was disappointed.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy That Came For Christmas by Megan Rix is a wonderful book about having puppies to train as service dogs.
This is a delightful account of first time puppy owners Megan Rix and her husband as they navigate the highs and lows of puppy training.
It is also a book about infertility problems and fostering as the couple are deemed too old to adopt.
Emotions run high throughout the book. There are tears and laughter as the couple bond with their puppy, knowing they will have to let her go after six months, for further training.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in just one sitting. I loved the inclusion of photos throughout.
Service dogs are amazing. They do quite literally change lives. The trainers are amazing too as they pour their hearts and souls into the puppies, knowing their hearts will break as the puppies move on.
Thank you Megan Rix for sharing your experiences.

[Chelsea may Simpson xx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very good read once you pick it up you can’t put it down. There are some adorable photos of the dogs they adopted in the book. I would definitely recommend people people to give it a read as it’s a eye opening book of what charity’s with dogs can do for disabled people and there family’s xxx

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Megan Rix ever wanted was a baby. Yet, month after month, Megan’s dreams were dashed. Would her life ever feel complete?

Megan and her husband, Ian, found a surprising answer when they began training golden retriever pups to become service dogs for people with disabilities. But opening their homes and hearts up to Emma, and then Freddy-only to have each move on after six months-eventually took its own toll. Megan and Ian didn’t know if they could continue. They needed to decide where they lives were really headed and if they needed a “forever pet” or foster another pet or have no pets at all.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book is truly heartwarming and heartbreaking. To want a baby so badly and nothing works but we see how animals can sometimes fill that big void in a heart the way nothing else can.

While I have four healthy now adult children, a grandson and another grandchild on the way, I am also mom or grandma to six cats and two dogs. The two dogs and two of the cats are here wandering around everyday bringing so much joy to my life. The cats love to snuggle and even sit here on my desk and “help me type”, they will knock books out of my hand when they feel I should be giving them attention. The dogs warm my feet, are needing of regular head pats and belly rubs and curl up at the foot of the bed when it is time to sleep. Our pets are our family too. They are always happy to see whether we have been gone an hour or a day or even longer. Tails wagging, cheerful barks, huge meows tell us it’s about time we got home and they want our attention right now. Plus the difference between kids and pets, pets never ask for money or the keys to the car or complain they are bored with nothing to do.

This book shows how a puppy can bond a family together. It is very well written and gives a little different perspective than other books such as Marley & Me. I read it all in one sitting and really enjoyed it. Another nice book for the holidays!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Plume. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[UKDana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having finally met the man of her dreams writer Megan Rix is ready to start a family. Unfortunately Megan is the wrong side of 40 and nature is doing everything possible to thwart Megan’s plans. To take their mind off things Megan and husband Ian look into the possibility of fostering puppies for the working dog charity “Helper Dogs”.

Just before Christmas the phone call arrives telling Megan and Ian that they will be getting their fist puppy, Emma. Over the next 6 months we hear all about Emma’s antics and the joy she gives. The book is very informative about the training the puppies receive from a very early age and the people that they go on to help. We’re also introduced to a wide range of characters, both human and canine. With out a doubt the canine ones steal the show each time.

My heart went out to Megan and Ian on more than one occasion as I read the book. Firstly the on-going desperation to have a baby and the different options they considered. Secondly, when they realised that their time with Emma was up and they would have to pass her on to someone else for more intensive training. It made me realise how dedicated the people who do this type of job must be.

One of the things that “Helper Dogs” try to do is quickly put a new puppy into the foster home once a previous puppy has left so we are quickly introduced to Freddy, a bundle of energy. Once again we hear all about the doggy antics.

The thought of giving up a puppy after six months is heart-breaking and it’s clear from Megan’s writing that she felt this way. But this isn’t a depressing read. Megan and Ian, along with numerous doggy characters, show us that there is enough love to get through every situation.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously, how could I not pick up a book with this title?! And you should see the cover. So eff'ing adorable. Thankfully, the title doesn't fully describe the (true) story of this book, just more of the timeline. An older couple UK wants to have a baby but can't, so they decide to adopt and train "helper" dogs. Of course, since they have never had a dog before, they get super attached, which I have to say now is the most annoying thing about this story. It's like surrogacy, they really want women who have already "finished their family" before they go off and have a baby for someone else. I think you really should either currently or in the past have owned a dog before you can be a trainer, so you know what it's like to give it up. Of course, a dog isn't as much like a baby and since they are really desperate for helper trainers, beggars can't be choosers, but I wanted to strangle the couple every single time they thought they could keep their dog in the end, even offering a payoff. How lame! Thankfully in the end, they got their own forever dog, which is probably better for them anyway. I did like reading about the struggles they went through in training the dog as I was going through similar things at the time with my (new to me) dog. Cutesty and just so very British and just an okay read. Lamer then I had hoped, but a decent read for dog lovers.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book.I won this book through Goodreads. While Meg& Ian were living in Japan they rented a dog from a business that did dog renting. When that got back home to England they wanted a dog of their own, not sure of the breed,they investigated Helper Dogs an organization that places dogs with handicapped people. Their first pup was Emma a beautiful cream lab. They would care for the pup untill she passed all her training classes. It as so difficult to let her go to the next plase of training. Their next pup was Freddy that filled their lives with joy. they knew they would have to let him go also. Next they found their forever dog. No more heart wrenching goodbys. Their first dog Emma was places with a PE teacher that had broken his neck but sill wanted to teach school. Emma was able through training to pick up pencils off the floor remove socks and hat. Otherwise the man would be at home feeling depressed and useless. These dogs make such a difference for the hanidcapped. Their forever dog Taffy could sleep on the bed and not have all the rules the former dogs and Meg & Ian had to follow. All this time they were also trying to have a baby. After Taffy came to be their forever dog. Ian & Meg were just fine with their Taffy baby.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman and her husband want a baby desperately, but unfortunately so far it hasn't happened. Her biological clock is ticking louder with each day. Then Megan and Ian decide to foster puppies.

Into this story comes a eight-week-old puppy, Emma, who is to be a Helper Dog. Six months of training with Megan and Ian, and back she goes for more training. Heartbreak ensues as Emma is missed terribly, but along comes Freddy, the next puppy Megan and Ian train to become a helper dog. Again, six months of cuddling (I wish I had a nickel for every time the author used the word 'cuddle'--there are synonyms for cuddle.) and training before Freddy will leave.

Then comes Traffy (short for Trafford). What then? Joyful and tearful moments co-exist in this memoir of this family and the puppies they trained.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

My biggest problem with this book is the last paragraph of the acknowledgements: "For anyone thinking of buying a puppy, please make sure it comes from a good home.... Too many puppies are born into the cruelty of puppy farms, especially at Christmas, and animal shelters are overflowing with unwanted pets." Um. So why not suggest that anyone thinking of buying a puppy adopt from the shelter instead? Otherwise this was a cute, unobjectionable read that didn't have anything especially fantastic going for it, though neither did it have anything going against it except for that last paragraph....

[Eve Muratore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really heartwarming and cute. It made me want to smile all the time. Great book to read before Christmas time!

[Claudia Janeiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

O Natal aproximava-se a passos largos, o meu ânimo e espírito natalício andava pelas ruas da amargura e estava a precisar de ler um livro com cãezinhos, ainda por cima golden retrievers, que são os mais fofos. Na altura comprei este livro por achar que era apropriado para esta época e especialmente porque vi algures um comentário a dizer que não era daqueles em que se chega ao fim e o cão morre.

Gostei do livro, leu-se num ápice, é uma história terna sobre um casal que não consegue ter filhos e acaba por encontrar nestas bolinhas de pêlo tudo aquilo que precisam para encher a casa de amor. 

A história é autobiográfica e a autora conta-nos sobre a sua luta contra a infertilidade, passando ao leitor algumas das suas emoções em relação a isso, mas sem ser de forma demasiado negativa e maçadora. Aliás, a autora relata o quanto foi importante para ela e para o marido, esta tarefa que abraçaram de ser família de acolhimento temporário para cachorrinhos que mais tarde iam ser treinados para ser cães de assistência. Sendo que mais tarde perceberam que precisavam mesmo era de ter em casa um cão que ficasse e não fosse embora ao fim de umas semanas, algo que os deixava muito tristes. Especialmente quando perceberam que engravidar não iria ser possível nunca e que não queriam passar nem pelo filme dos tratamentos de infertilidade nem pelo filme da adopção. E foi para Traffy que passaram todo o amor que sentiam e que passaram a sentir que a família estava completa.

Isto não é spoiler, porque mais uma vez a sinopse conta a história toda, mas ainda assim é um livro ternurento sobre amor e sobre estes quatro patas inteligentes e fofos, que nos aquece o coração.

Dei 3 estrelas porque gostava que a história tivesse sido um pouco mais desenvolvida, talvez com mais peripécias da Traffy depois de encontrar o seu lar. 

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, heartwarming story of a couple, their experience with helping to train two puppies for four months as they start their path to being "helper dogs," the British term for service dogs who help people with disabilities.

The author has a lovely writing style and I was captivated by the book. When she got her first puppy, she started a blog with the narrator being the puppy Emma. The local newspaper asked her to write a weekly column about the dog and she did so in the same style. Some of the entries are in the book and are adorable.

It is an easy read and perfect for me as I recovered from an illness.

I borrowed this book through my local public library, which downloads it through Amazon.

[Severina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newlyweds in their 40s struggling to become pregnant become foster puppy-parents for Helper Dogs, which train dogs to assist the physically disabled.

This was a great non-fiction account of a year in the life, as Megan and her husband throw themselves into a love for dogs they never knew they had. The joys of dog ownership are explored thoroughly, and the snippets from other foster parents, the clients their dogs are eventually placed with, and the adventures, skills, and fun times shared are all naturally spliced throughout the book. Even the fails are okay, because some dogs are just not interested in the training and still find loving homes – usually with their foster families.

This was a joy to read.

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank God that she got a puppy...but her sappy, romantic view through double lensed rose-colored glasses adds suspicion to the whole memoir. I feel sorry that she lost her child but even more sorry in her attempts to anthropomorphize her dog to replace the human child missing in her life. Thankfully, most domesticated species turn out to interact decently with humans despite our attempts remove all semblance of their own speciated distinctions with a big glop of emotional dependency smashed on top. This story certainly demonstrates it clearly.

Poorly written, reads like grade school homework, full of emotional babble.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't too sure if I would like this book. I am not a huge dog fan but I decided to give it a try. I really liked her story of training 2 dogs at different times to become helper dogs. Her journey with infertility was interspersed along the way. That part of the story I wanted to yell into the book. She just seemed to take a bizarre route to try to become pregnant. When they finally decided she couldn't do it they decide on foster parenting not adopting. Her and her husband would have made wonderful parents. I just really wish they could have been open to adopting an older child.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a true story by Megan Rix and her husband of their difficulties having children, their decision to become involved in training dogs to become assistance dogs.

A very moving description of their lives as foster parents to the assistance puppies, working hard to train them so they could give help to disabled adults and children, transforming their lives.

This is a complex story, with many twists and turns and an enjoyable and heartwarming book. I can recommend this to animal lovers everywhere.

[Debflowers7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun short read for a dog lover. I enjoyed the parts where she gave specific examples of the training that goes on and the help the dogs can offer a disabled person. The programs that match helper dogs to those in need are a miracle for so many.
Rix also wove a second theme into the story about her trials and tribulations of trying to become pregnant at an older age. I did not find this part of interest and even though the author did a good job of weaving the two parts together, I think it was a negative to include this.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most tedious and boring book I have read in a long time! Less than half way through I contemplated not finishing it! I was not compelled to pick it up and continue reading and every chapter was a chore to get through!
I am a dog lover and I thought this would be a fun way to end the Christmas season…not so much! Glad that I borrowed the book and didn’t waste any money on it! If I could give negative stars I would!
Only positive is that this counts towards my reading challenge for 2025!
Don’t let the adorable puppy face on the cover entice you to read this!

[Kristi Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, Loved, Loved this book. The puppies that came into Megan & Ian's lives helped feel the void and disappointment of not being able to have a child of their own. I came close to home for me, since my daughter and son-in-law have gone thru much of the same. they too have found happiness with their bulldogs.
Being Helper Dogs parent, Megan and Ian have been able to see the dogs they trained the first 6 months of their puppy lives become valuable dogs to their forever homes.

[Emily Langdown · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a real dog lover I was so ready for this book. I think it is such a beautiful story and written in such a lovely way, I just found at times I struggled to keep turning the pages but I am glad I did and could really follow the journey of everyone in the book, not just Megan and Ian, but also Emma and Freddy, and all the other characters in the book that were so relatable.

Megan really takes the reader on a journey throughout the book and all aspects of family life to raising puppies and I think it is very important story.

[Linda Nease · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about a family that fosters Helper Dogs that will later be used by disabled people to help them in their daily lives. Does a good job of describing how it is to train a puppy and then pass him/her off to be trained further for a service life. Tries to also let you learn about the characters (humans) and does ok at this, but kind of drops that at the end. Maybe should have just stuck more to the fostering story? But good to learn about this type of fostering - interesting.

[kella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I thought this would be a banger - I was let down. I found it quite dull and repetitive and very similar to the kids book that I had just read by the same author. This book might be good for some people but I needed more laughs and more action.

Brief summary: Megan lives with her partner , they foster helper dogs and train them before they are sent away ( she does this twice in the course of the book) at the same time she narrates her struggles with pregnancy and children.

⭐️⭐️

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I wasn't so into it, because part of the story is that she and her new hubby want kids, and it's going to be a medical struggle. But then the dogs were far more the real story. Plus every chapter included accounts of how the Helper Dogs help an handicap person in every day life. In the end, I coudln't put it down.

[Jora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of sweet, and the losses of Freddy and Emma (they don't die!) sure were sad, but I didn't find enough detail in the book. I don't believe that there were enough descriptions of the puppies, the training classes, the various humans in the book, the places they went, etc. It did have the necessary emotion, however, and it was an okay read.