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A Dog Named Christmas #2
Vier Pfoten im Schnee
Seit ein paar Jahren arbeitet der 24-jährige Todd für das örtliche Tierheim. Als er Unterstützung von der jungen Pflegerin Laura bekommt, ist er überglücklich, und schon bald sind die beiden die besten Freunde. Laura leidet jedoch an einer seltenen Krankheit. Deshalb schenkt Todd ihr Gracie, eine junge Golden-Retriever-Dame, die ihr im Alltag helfen soll. Gracie ist ein wahrer Schatz, und sie versteht sich auch gut mit Christmas, Todds betagtem schwarzem Labrador. Alles könnte so schön sein, aber dann kommt die schockierende Nachricht: Die Stadt will das Tierheim schließen. Was soll nun aus all den Hunden werden? Und was wird aus Todd, der plötzlich arbeitslos ist? Für Todd und Laura bricht eine Welt zusammen, doch kurz vor Weihnachten scheint eine Lösung in Sicht ...
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
85 people are currently reading
1358 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
December 26, 2017
I just found this book on page 34 of 34 of entries in my kindle. Given that it’s 12/23, I figured it was the perfect time to read this. Well, shit. The story starts with a house being repossessed and the family of mom and two kids leaving the dog in the backyard.
This is the second in a series but I didn’t feel lost from not having read the first book. This book revolves around the news that a dog shelter in a small down on its luck town must close by the end of the year and 50 dogs and cats need a home. Also, two workers, one mentally disabled, will be out of a job.
The story is sweet and heartwarming, but not exceptional. I can’t say it’s got much in the way of deep characters. in fact, they all came across as too good to be true. It’s fairly predictable. That’s not to say it can’t be enjoyed for what it is.
This is the second in a series but I didn’t feel lost from not having read the first book. This book revolves around the news that a dog shelter in a small down on its luck town must close by the end of the year and 50 dogs and cats need a home. Also, two workers, one mentally disabled, will be out of a job.
The story is sweet and heartwarming, but not exceptional. I can’t say it’s got much in the way of deep characters. in fact, they all came across as too good to be true. It’s fairly predictable. That’s not to say it can’t be enjoyed for what it is.
October 16, 2020
Seriously.. just give me all the dog books known to man. I'm loving all of these so far.
A Christmas Home was equally adorable as the first book in this series. Even though it started off bittersweet, I just knew it was going to suck me in by pulling my heart strings. It did and I loved all the pages.
Just like the first book, we are still meeting the same characters but we are hoping that all the animals in this shelter find a good and loving home before the end of the year. Todd and Laura were just way too cute for me and I fell for them instantly. I mean.. I fell for the animals as well but that was even easier to do.
Not sure what I would ever do if our local shelter went through this.. but I guess I can volunteer as tribute to take as many dogs that I can.
A Christmas Home was equally adorable as the first book in this series. Even though it started off bittersweet, I just knew it was going to suck me in by pulling my heart strings. It did and I loved all the pages.
Just like the first book, we are still meeting the same characters but we are hoping that all the animals in this shelter find a good and loving home before the end of the year. Todd and Laura were just way too cute for me and I fell for them instantly. I mean.. I fell for the animals as well but that was even easier to do.
Not sure what I would ever do if our local shelter went through this.. but I guess I can volunteer as tribute to take as many dogs that I can.
December 31, 2022
Labai jauki ir šilta knyga apie netikėtai uždaromą gyvūnų prieglaudą ir jos darbuotojų pastangas greitai surasti naujus namus savo globotiniams. Jauno vaikinuko iššūkiai netekus mylimo darbo ir jo pirmoji meilė, bei sumišę jausmai. Labai gražus tarpusavio šeimos bendravimas, ramūs pokalbiai, paaiškinimai ir patarimai, leidžiant vaikinukui pačiam priimti savo gyvenimo sprendimus. Kalėdinės, nedidelės miestelio bendruomenės, tradicijos ir visų nuoširdi pagalba vienas kitam ❤️
🖋 Kaip mėlynu dangumi, mažais vaikais ir oru, kuriuo mes kvėpuojme, šunimis galima dalytis, džiaugtis, juos mylėti, bet jų turėti tiesiog neįmanoma. Partnerystė - taip. Nuosavybė - ne. Šunų ir žmonių santykiai visada tokie ir buvo.
🖋 Pradėti galima tik tada, kai susitaikai su tuo, kas neišvengiama.
🖋 Jei nedarai klaidų, vadinasi, pakankamai nesistengi.
🖋 Kaip mėlynu dangumi, mažais vaikais ir oru, kuriuo mes kvėpuojme, šunimis galima dalytis, džiaugtis, juos mylėti, bet jų turėti tiesiog neįmanoma. Partnerystė - taip. Nuosavybė - ne. Šunų ir žmonių santykiai visada tokie ir buvo.
🖋 Pradėti galima tik tada, kai susitaikai su tuo, kas neišvengiama.
🖋 Jei nedarai klaidų, vadinasi, pakankamai nesistengi.
December 22, 2025
3 Christmas stars and I added one more for the dog! Starting to get into the Christmas mood!!
December 21, 2021
I absolutely adore this series by Greg Kincaid, the dogs and the characters in these novels capture my heart and take me on an emotional roller coaster ride for everything they've been through. All you need is a cozy blanket and a box of tissues close by while reading these heart felt stories. This story for sure pulled on my heart strings. I've cried through every book in this series so far, so, thank you Greg Kincaid for making me cry non-stop.
A Christmas Home by Greg Kincaid started off bittersweet, a family got evicted from their house, and had to leave their dog behind in the backyard. The little girl left a note tied to the dog's collar, and that just destroyed me. The dog had no clue what was going on, but when the family didn't return the next day, the dog knew something had happened and felt completely alone with no food or water. The family was completely devastated when they knew they had to leave the dog behind.
Todd McCray is now 24 years old, and lives in Throne's cabin, who we met in Christmas with Tucker. Todd now works at the local animal shelter where the Adopt A Dog for Christmas Program happened. Todd meets Laura who also works part time at the animal shelter but has another job at the Wellness Center. Laura is just like Todd, she has disabilities of her own, but Laura's are more physical. Todd has trained a dog named Gracie to help Laura with her day-to-day struggles.
The local animal shelter is coming to a dead end and is at capacity with all the animals. The town is struggling with financial issues which is causing the shelter to shut down for good. Todd, Laura, and Hayley need to find homes for these cats and dogs before the deadline of closing. As the shelter gets near its end Todd needs to find another job but he doesn't want to because he enjoys being with the animals all day long. Due to funding problems, the shelter will have to close its doors before the end of the year.
A Christmas Home by Greg Kincaid started off bittersweet, a family got evicted from their house, and had to leave their dog behind in the backyard. The little girl left a note tied to the dog's collar, and that just destroyed me. The dog had no clue what was going on, but when the family didn't return the next day, the dog knew something had happened and felt completely alone with no food or water. The family was completely devastated when they knew they had to leave the dog behind.
Todd McCray is now 24 years old, and lives in Throne's cabin, who we met in Christmas with Tucker. Todd now works at the local animal shelter where the Adopt A Dog for Christmas Program happened. Todd meets Laura who also works part time at the animal shelter but has another job at the Wellness Center. Laura is just like Todd, she has disabilities of her own, but Laura's are more physical. Todd has trained a dog named Gracie to help Laura with her day-to-day struggles.
The local animal shelter is coming to a dead end and is at capacity with all the animals. The town is struggling with financial issues which is causing the shelter to shut down for good. Todd, Laura, and Hayley need to find homes for these cats and dogs before the deadline of closing. As the shelter gets near its end Todd needs to find another job but he doesn't want to because he enjoys being with the animals all day long. Due to funding problems, the shelter will have to close its doors before the end of the year.
December 27, 2021
Todas Makrėjus - dvidešimt ketverių metų vaikinas, kuris šiek tiek kitoks nei visi jo bendraamžiai. Vis dėlto, vaikinas turi labai gerą širdį ir be galo myli gyvūnus. Jis dirba prieglaudoje, kur prižiūri, dresuoja gyvūnus ir ieško jiems naujų namų. Deja, dėl ekonominės krizės, miestelis nusprendžia uždaryti prieglaudą. Tačiau Todas nėra nusiteikęs taip lengvai pasiduoti.
Ne paslaptis, kad Kalėdų laikotarpis - mano mėgstamiausias, todėl šiais metais ypatingai užsimaniau perskaityti nors vieną Kalėdinę knygą. Pamaniau, kad „Namai Kalėdoms“ - idealus variantas, nes be Kalėdų be galo myliu ir šunis. Ar gavau tai, ko tikėjausi? Iš dalies taip, bet norėjosi šiek tiek daugiau Kalėdų. Noriu pasakyti tai, kad šios knygos kontekste Kalėdos nėra pernelyg detalizuojamos. Taip, jos paminėtos, nes visas veiksmas vyksta jų laikotarpyje, tačiau jos tik tam tikra atmosfera, todėl tai truputį nuvylė.
Žvelgiant iš kitos pusės, galiu rašytoją suprasti ir pateisinti. Visi žinome, kad Kalėdų laikotarpis asocijuojasi magija, stebuklais ir norų išsipildymais. Manau, todėl autorius pasirinko tokias sudėtingas situacijas, kurios aplanko knygos herojus būtent prieš Kalėdas, tam, kad galėtų pagrįsti šį faktą apie egzistuojančią magiją, apie stebuklus, kurie tikrai gali įvykti. Be to, labai noriu pagirti rašytoją už tai, kad palietė keletą labai svarbių temų.
Pirmiausia, šioje knygoje kalbama apie ligas, kurių tikrai nereikėtų pernelyg sureikšminti, tačiau jos vis dėlto pakeičia aplinkinių nuomonę apie sergantį asmenį. Labai dažnai žmonės yra linkę nuvertinti tuos, kurie turi nors mažiausią negalią, kurie nėra tokie kaip jie. O iš tiesų juk jie tokie patys žmonės kaip mes, o kartais dar net ir geresni - vertybių prasme bei vidumi.
Taip pat, šioje knygoje kalbama ir apie dar vieną šių dienų opią problemą - beglobius gyvūnus. Pažvelgus į tai, kokia situacija vyrauja gyvūnų prieglaudose, galima pamatyti, kad joms tikrai reikia įvairiapusės mūsų visų pagalbos. Manau, būtent šias mintis ir norėjo perduoti autorius, rašydamas apie tai, kad šio miestelio prieglaudą nuspręsta uždaryti. Esu linkusi manyti, kad tokiu būdu jis norėjo atkreipti šios knygos skaitytojų dėmesį ir paraginti kiekvieną daugiau prisidėti prie šių nekaltų padarėlių gerovės. Be to, man labai patiko ta mintis, kad šunys - gali būti ir ištikimiausi draugai, ir geriausi gydytojai.
Rekomenduoju skaitytojams, ieškantiems tyros, švelnios ir šviesos istorijos. Tai - knyga, kuri skirta tikrai ne vien tik vaikams, bet ir suaugusiems. Skaitydami ją šventiniu laikotarpiu, manau, tikrai įžvelgsite daug gėrio, supratimo ir tolerancijos, kurių visiems pastaruoju metu taip trūksta, o po eglute šių dalykų rasti - neįmanoma, juos kuriame tik mes patys.
„Meilė yra tarsi prerijų žolė pievoje už šios trobelės: jei duosi jai laiko, ji geriau įsišaknys. Kai taip nutinka, jos kone neįmanoma išrauti. Ji sustiprės ir išsikeros taip, kad užgoš visas aplinkines piktžoles.“
4/5⭐
Ne paslaptis, kad Kalėdų laikotarpis - mano mėgstamiausias, todėl šiais metais ypatingai užsimaniau perskaityti nors vieną Kalėdinę knygą. Pamaniau, kad „Namai Kalėdoms“ - idealus variantas, nes be Kalėdų be galo myliu ir šunis. Ar gavau tai, ko tikėjausi? Iš dalies taip, bet norėjosi šiek tiek daugiau Kalėdų. Noriu pasakyti tai, kad šios knygos kontekste Kalėdos nėra pernelyg detalizuojamos. Taip, jos paminėtos, nes visas veiksmas vyksta jų laikotarpyje, tačiau jos tik tam tikra atmosfera, todėl tai truputį nuvylė.
Žvelgiant iš kitos pusės, galiu rašytoją suprasti ir pateisinti. Visi žinome, kad Kalėdų laikotarpis asocijuojasi magija, stebuklais ir norų išsipildymais. Manau, todėl autorius pasirinko tokias sudėtingas situacijas, kurios aplanko knygos herojus būtent prieš Kalėdas, tam, kad galėtų pagrįsti šį faktą apie egzistuojančią magiją, apie stebuklus, kurie tikrai gali įvykti. Be to, labai noriu pagirti rašytoją už tai, kad palietė keletą labai svarbių temų.
Pirmiausia, šioje knygoje kalbama apie ligas, kurių tikrai nereikėtų pernelyg sureikšminti, tačiau jos vis dėlto pakeičia aplinkinių nuomonę apie sergantį asmenį. Labai dažnai žmonės yra linkę nuvertinti tuos, kurie turi nors mažiausią negalią, kurie nėra tokie kaip jie. O iš tiesų juk jie tokie patys žmonės kaip mes, o kartais dar net ir geresni - vertybių prasme bei vidumi.
Taip pat, šioje knygoje kalbama ir apie dar vieną šių dienų opią problemą - beglobius gyvūnus. Pažvelgus į tai, kokia situacija vyrauja gyvūnų prieglaudose, galima pamatyti, kad joms tikrai reikia įvairiapusės mūsų visų pagalbos. Manau, būtent šias mintis ir norėjo perduoti autorius, rašydamas apie tai, kad šio miestelio prieglaudą nuspręsta uždaryti. Esu linkusi manyti, kad tokiu būdu jis norėjo atkreipti šios knygos skaitytojų dėmesį ir paraginti kiekvieną daugiau prisidėti prie šių nekaltų padarėlių gerovės. Be to, man labai patiko ta mintis, kad šunys - gali būti ir ištikimiausi draugai, ir geriausi gydytojai.
Rekomenduoju skaitytojams, ieškantiems tyros, švelnios ir šviesos istorijos. Tai - knyga, kuri skirta tikrai ne vien tik vaikams, bet ir suaugusiems. Skaitydami ją šventiniu laikotarpiu, manau, tikrai įžvelgsite daug gėrio, supratimo ir tolerancijos, kurių visiems pastaruoju metu taip trūksta, o po eglute šių dalykų rasti - neįmanoma, juos kuriame tik mes patys.
„Meilė yra tarsi prerijų žolė pievoje už šios trobelės: jei duosi jai laiko, ji geriau įsišaknys. Kai taip nutinka, jos kone neįmanoma išrauti. Ji sustiprės ir išsikeros taip, kad užgoš visas aplinkines piktžoles.“
4/5⭐
January 1, 2021
This is the only book that I've read from this series about a dog named Christmas and his owners, so I didn't know about Todd and that he is different. But I must say that author did a pretty good job writing from his perspective. But this book was a bit too childish to me and too simple. The main idea is nice and I like the fact that Todd just wants to help animals, because he reminds me of myself (kind of), but the writing isn't smooth enough. Anyway, dogs and happy endings are always welcome.
October 5, 2023
A fabulous read for me. I liked the characters a lot, have enjoyed each of the books in this series. It touches me as a reader to feel that connection with the son Todd and his passion for animals. It feels like a warm read that translates to something you might watch on hallmark.
January 9, 2013
At the heart of A Christmas Home is a town struggling to survive. People and pets are losing their homes. With no other financial means, a lot of sweet dogs end up in the shelter run by Todd. The city is running out of money, which leads to a limited amount of funds for the shelter and an overwhelming amount of animals are being abandoned. Todd has multiple challenges ahead of him, especially if he loses his job. Todd tries to overcome his own disabilities and maintain an independent life, which is threatened if the shelter is forced to close. There is a light romantic interest for this young man which also has to fit into this puzzle.
As in many small towns across America today, Greg Kincaid's characters show the will to overcome their limitations with rich courage and bravery. In doing so, they share with us a story of perseverance. This is a story of unconditional love. It’s a story of a family with unconditional love and the love between a man and his faithful canine companion.
I highly recommend this book. A Christmas Home is a perfect book for animal lovers, like all Christmas novellas, it's still a perfect read for anytime of the year. You will want to keep it around and read again and children will love this story. It shows the deep connection and love between humans and animals, and how anyone, no matter their limitations, can find their passion. The story sounds like it could have been based on a true story, overall, a sweet and sometimes funny Christmas story! The ending is emotional and unexpected, brought tears to my eyes, a perfect ending.
I received this book in a giveaway from Crown Publishing a division of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their Blogging for Books program for my review.
As in many small towns across America today, Greg Kincaid's characters show the will to overcome their limitations with rich courage and bravery. In doing so, they share with us a story of perseverance. This is a story of unconditional love. It’s a story of a family with unconditional love and the love between a man and his faithful canine companion.
I highly recommend this book. A Christmas Home is a perfect book for animal lovers, like all Christmas novellas, it's still a perfect read for anytime of the year. You will want to keep it around and read again and children will love this story. It shows the deep connection and love between humans and animals, and how anyone, no matter their limitations, can find their passion. The story sounds like it could have been based on a true story, overall, a sweet and sometimes funny Christmas story! The ending is emotional and unexpected, brought tears to my eyes, a perfect ending.
I received this book in a giveaway from Crown Publishing a division of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their Blogging for Books program for my review.
December 31, 2016
A sweet and moving end to this Christmas Trilogy. I enjoyed all three books in this series, but this was my favorite. I enjoyed seeing Todd grow into a responsible adult and start a life outside the farm. An emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings.
December 17, 2025
This time of year is busy for most of us. The holidays bring a flurry of decorating, shopping, gatherings, and travel. For me, that usually means I have less time than I’d like to commit to reading, and I find myself craving books that are quicker, easier to finish. I’ve found the perfect series in Greg Kincaid’s holiday novels. A Dog Named Christmas and Noelle both deliver heartwarming holiday cheer—with plenty of adorable puppies thrown in. It’s a combination that’s hard to resist! Thankfully, the series has more entries, so I eagerly picked up A Christmas Home to see what would happen next.
Twenty-four-year-old Todd McCray never thought he would find a place in the world where he truly belonged. His developmental challenges often left him feeling out of step as he grew up. That began to change when he met a Labrador retriever named Christmas, a rescue dog who gave Todd a sense of purpose he never knew he was missing. Now, Todd works at the local animal shelter, the very place where he once fostered Christmas all those years ago. With his gentle nature and intuitive understanding of animals, Todd excels at training the dogs and helping match them with the right families.
While Todd is doing well, the rest of his small town is not. Economic times are tough. Businesses are shuttering, families are moving away in desperate search of opportunity, and tragically, many are leaving their family pets behind. The result is an animal shelter overflowing with dogs in need of homes just as the holidays approach. Worse still, with tax revenue dwindling, the city council has voted to close the shelter at the end of the year. Now, Todd faces an impossible task of finding homes for every animal before Christmas, while also coming to terms with the loss of the one place where he has ever truly felt he belonged.
A Christmas Home expands the world Greg Kincaid introduced in A Dog Named Christmas, making for a perfect holiday read. While Kincaid initially uses the economic downturn of a small town to kick off his story, I was pleased to see it evolve into a tale rooted in hope and optimism. My only real complaint with the first book was the author’s handling of Todd’s disability, and here that issue is thoughtfully corrected. Todd is given real agency as the hero of the story, and even a gentle romance subplot that feels earned rather than patronizing. All told, A Christmas Home is a warm holiday read that reminds us of the importance of hope, community, and making sure everyone has a place they can call home.
Twenty-four-year-old Todd McCray never thought he would find a place in the world where he truly belonged. His developmental challenges often left him feeling out of step as he grew up. That began to change when he met a Labrador retriever named Christmas, a rescue dog who gave Todd a sense of purpose he never knew he was missing. Now, Todd works at the local animal shelter, the very place where he once fostered Christmas all those years ago. With his gentle nature and intuitive understanding of animals, Todd excels at training the dogs and helping match them with the right families.
While Todd is doing well, the rest of his small town is not. Economic times are tough. Businesses are shuttering, families are moving away in desperate search of opportunity, and tragically, many are leaving their family pets behind. The result is an animal shelter overflowing with dogs in need of homes just as the holidays approach. Worse still, with tax revenue dwindling, the city council has voted to close the shelter at the end of the year. Now, Todd faces an impossible task of finding homes for every animal before Christmas, while also coming to terms with the loss of the one place where he has ever truly felt he belonged.
A Christmas Home expands the world Greg Kincaid introduced in A Dog Named Christmas, making for a perfect holiday read. While Kincaid initially uses the economic downturn of a small town to kick off his story, I was pleased to see it evolve into a tale rooted in hope and optimism. My only real complaint with the first book was the author’s handling of Todd’s disability, and here that issue is thoughtfully corrected. Todd is given real agency as the hero of the story, and even a gentle romance subplot that feels earned rather than patronizing. All told, A Christmas Home is a warm holiday read that reminds us of the importance of hope, community, and making sure everyone has a place they can call home.
December 13, 2017
This one started out slow for me. But, once I got almost halfway, I was hooked!
About a young man and his service dog trying to save the animal shelter he works for.
About a young man and his service dog trying to save the animal shelter he works for.
December 3, 2018
A heartwarming story...
May 25, 2023
If you like W. Bruce Cameron's dog stories, you'll love these!
December 29, 2023
Fabulous book and series! Definitely recommend if you like dogs and Christmas!
November 24, 2021
A nice feel good book. The first book in this series focuses on how Todd wanted to help clear the animal shelter out for Christmas. Todd is the son of this couple George and Marilyn. He is mentally challenged when it comes to learning things from a book but in other ways he does extremely well. So in the second book Todd works at the animal shelter and he does great with training and caring for the dogs. He also becomes good friends with a nurse at their small urgent care and hospital. She to has a disability of having severe arthritis. She has a care dog that helps her stand up and do things she has difficulty with.
I’m not going to go into the entire book. But the city is having to close the shelter because of not having the funds to maintain it and keep it open. Naturally this is hard on Todd. They were trying to find homes for the last 12 dogs left there. Todd’s dad ends up taking all the dogs to their house and keeping them in his barn.
Todd now is concerned that he will no longer have a job. He has moved out of his parents house into a cabin on their farm. Todd has become quite close to Lora. And she to him.
Todd is hired to work at this dairy but he also sent a resume to this school that trains dogs as companions for disabled people. He goes there and it’s a 3 year program to become a licensed trainer. It’s over 3 hrs from home. But Todd decides to go and Lora tells him she will e waiting for him.
It’s a nice book read it
I’m not going to go into the entire book. But the city is having to close the shelter because of not having the funds to maintain it and keep it open. Naturally this is hard on Todd. They were trying to find homes for the last 12 dogs left there. Todd’s dad ends up taking all the dogs to their house and keeping them in his barn.
Todd now is concerned that he will no longer have a job. He has moved out of his parents house into a cabin on their farm. Todd has become quite close to Lora. And she to him.
Todd is hired to work at this dairy but he also sent a resume to this school that trains dogs as companions for disabled people. He goes there and it’s a 3 year program to become a licensed trainer. It’s over 3 hrs from home. But Todd decides to go and Lora tells him she will e waiting for him.
It’s a nice book read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2021
I wish I had been more careful when I chose the books in this series. I nearly always read books in a series in order, but goofed with this one. Still, this story is a good addition, and I was glad to spend time with the McCray family at Christmas time. The audio of all three of these books is excellently done, and added to my enjoyment.
January 13, 2014
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" A Christmas Home is another heartwarming holiday read from Greg Kincaid in his untitled series about the McCray family. This one takes place several years after the end of A Dog Named Christmas . Todd McCray is now a young man in his early twenties. He lives on his own in a cabin on his parent's property, far enough away to be mostly independent, but still close enough for his parents to keep watch on their developmentally disabled son. Todd loves his job as Assistant Manager at the local animal shelter, but reduced revenues and governmental budgetary cutbacks have led to the shelter being shut down by the end of the year. Todd finds himself in the precarious position of not only dealing with the loss of his job, but also once again, needing to help find homes for all the dogs and cats in the shelter before the holidays.
Todd is a wonderful young man who is kind and caring toward everyone, both humans and animals alike. He may be a little mentally slow in some ways, but he has an amazing natural talent for working with the animals at the shelter, especially the dogs. He's incredibly patient with training the dogs and positively loves his work. Todd also has an idealistic streak, so when the news comes down that the shelter is closing, he's determined to find homes for all the animals and does a pretty impressive job of it. At the same time, he grows beyond his position as Assistant Shelter Manager and proves himself in other ways by taking control of his life and moving forward, showing he has the ability for independent decision-making when life hands him a lemon.
Todd also gets a light romance with Laura, a young woman with rheumatoid arthritis with whom he has been friends for quite a while. He was at the shelter when she brought in a stray dog she had accidentally hit with her car. Todd cared for the dog until she recovered from her injuries and then trained her to be a service dog to help Laura both at home and in her job as a nurse. These two share a sweet, slowly blossoming love that I enjoyed reading. Laura is very gentle and kindhearted to see past Todd's disability to the wonderful man he is. She appreciates his talents not just because he helped her and her dog, Gracie, but because she truly believes in him and his abilities.
Todd's parents, George and Mary Ann, are still a strong influence in his life, but they must come to terms with their “baby,” whom they've always given special attention to, finally becoming a man with a mind and a life of his own. Of course, their faithful and now aged dog, Christmas, is still a part of the story too. Both George and Todd have come to rely on Christmas for comfort and solace. They share “custody,” with Christmas going back and forth between their houses at will.
I love both holiday stories and animal stories, so having the two combined into one, made A Christmas Home a very enjoyable read for me. The only reason I knocked off a half star was because it was a tad slow paced early on, but it definitely picked up as the story progressed. Otherwise, A Christmas Home was a sweet, holiday story that warmed me through and through, like curling up with a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter's day. Since it has no objectionable content, it is a book that could even be enjoyed by the whole family as a Christmas tradition. It will definitely be going on my keeper shelf to be read again and again during holiday seasons to come. I have no idea if Greg Kincaid has any more stories planned for the McCray family. It certainly seemed like there could be more to tell, and if he does, I'll be eagerly picking up any future books he writes.
"4.5 stars" A Christmas Home is another heartwarming holiday read from Greg Kincaid in his untitled series about the McCray family. This one takes place several years after the end of A Dog Named Christmas . Todd McCray is now a young man in his early twenties. He lives on his own in a cabin on his parent's property, far enough away to be mostly independent, but still close enough for his parents to keep watch on their developmentally disabled son. Todd loves his job as Assistant Manager at the local animal shelter, but reduced revenues and governmental budgetary cutbacks have led to the shelter being shut down by the end of the year. Todd finds himself in the precarious position of not only dealing with the loss of his job, but also once again, needing to help find homes for all the dogs and cats in the shelter before the holidays.
Todd is a wonderful young man who is kind and caring toward everyone, both humans and animals alike. He may be a little mentally slow in some ways, but he has an amazing natural talent for working with the animals at the shelter, especially the dogs. He's incredibly patient with training the dogs and positively loves his work. Todd also has an idealistic streak, so when the news comes down that the shelter is closing, he's determined to find homes for all the animals and does a pretty impressive job of it. At the same time, he grows beyond his position as Assistant Shelter Manager and proves himself in other ways by taking control of his life and moving forward, showing he has the ability for independent decision-making when life hands him a lemon.
Todd also gets a light romance with Laura, a young woman with rheumatoid arthritis with whom he has been friends for quite a while. He was at the shelter when she brought in a stray dog she had accidentally hit with her car. Todd cared for the dog until she recovered from her injuries and then trained her to be a service dog to help Laura both at home and in her job as a nurse. These two share a sweet, slowly blossoming love that I enjoyed reading. Laura is very gentle and kindhearted to see past Todd's disability to the wonderful man he is. She appreciates his talents not just because he helped her and her dog, Gracie, but because she truly believes in him and his abilities.
Todd's parents, George and Mary Ann, are still a strong influence in his life, but they must come to terms with their “baby,” whom they've always given special attention to, finally becoming a man with a mind and a life of his own. Of course, their faithful and now aged dog, Christmas, is still a part of the story too. Both George and Todd have come to rely on Christmas for comfort and solace. They share “custody,” with Christmas going back and forth between their houses at will.
I love both holiday stories and animal stories, so having the two combined into one, made A Christmas Home a very enjoyable read for me. The only reason I knocked off a half star was because it was a tad slow paced early on, but it definitely picked up as the story progressed. Otherwise, A Christmas Home was a sweet, holiday story that warmed me through and through, like curling up with a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter's day. Since it has no objectionable content, it is a book that could even be enjoyed by the whole family as a Christmas tradition. It will definitely be going on my keeper shelf to be read again and again during holiday seasons to come. I have no idea if Greg Kincaid has any more stories planned for the McCray family. It certainly seemed like there could be more to tell, and if he does, I'll be eagerly picking up any future books he writes.
December 30, 2018
Just a nice Christmas read. More adventures with Christmas and his human family.
November 27, 2012
As always, the fifty or so books on the to-read shelf are a mixed bag, but some have really stood out and required reviewing. A Christmas Home was definitely one of them. I really love animal stories but have tended to stick to non-fiction in the past. However, I’m starting to realize that some of the animal based stories coming from Christian authors are filling a real void for me as the stories are about creation from a Biblical viewpoint. I picked up Mr. Kincaid’s book expecting it to be one of those and found to my surprise while those elements were there, it was less about a dog and more about people.
It took me a bit to get into the story since it is a sequel to a book called A Dog Named Christmas which I haven’t read. A Christmas Home did a good job standing on its own after the first fifteen pages or so and since the prologue had hooked me before the book really started, it didn’t really matter. I did get a feeling I should know who the McCrays were, but the characters quickly spoke for themselves.
The premise revolves around the closing of the animal shelter in a small town that is struggling to cope with the economic downturn. Many families are having to give up pets as they readjust their lifestyles, and the shelter is needed more than ever, but budget cuts and reallocations leave no room for it. As much as this could have become a book focused on saving the shelter and the animals and had plenty of material, Mr. Kincaid focused instead on the shelter employees and volunteers, particularly Todd McCray, a young disabled man who had found his calling in life at the shelter. And perhaps someone to share it with him.
I really loved the themes and tone of this book. Being an animal lover and, I tentatively use the word, environmentalist, I am too familiar with the call to save animals coming at the cost of humans. This book never suggested that animals should come first, but it also never lost sight of the fact that we are responsible for animals. It’s easy to focus of the big issues of endangered species and rainforests, but Mr. Kincaid’s story suggests sometimes we miss the need right in our own backyard.
Setting aside the stories of the animals and the shelter, this is also something of a coming of age story. I don’t know Todd from the earlier book, but I felt there was significant growth to his character as the plot progressed. He started as a mature young man, starting out in the world with his first job, and grew into a man of leadership and vision. I loved that his relationship with Laura wasn't a token romance or over romanticized and felt natural and organic to the story.
As far as an audience for this book, the writing was very clear and the content very clean so I would say age appropriateness would be determined more by the reader’s reading level. While it takes place at Christmas, I wouldn’t classify it as Christmas story at all and certainly wouldn’t regulate reading it to that season. But it’s definitely something I would recommend people who like animal stories should look for or even if you’re just in the market for an uplifting read.
Reblogged from my site: myrdan.com
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
It took me a bit to get into the story since it is a sequel to a book called A Dog Named Christmas which I haven’t read. A Christmas Home did a good job standing on its own after the first fifteen pages or so and since the prologue had hooked me before the book really started, it didn’t really matter. I did get a feeling I should know who the McCrays were, but the characters quickly spoke for themselves.
The premise revolves around the closing of the animal shelter in a small town that is struggling to cope with the economic downturn. Many families are having to give up pets as they readjust their lifestyles, and the shelter is needed more than ever, but budget cuts and reallocations leave no room for it. As much as this could have become a book focused on saving the shelter and the animals and had plenty of material, Mr. Kincaid focused instead on the shelter employees and volunteers, particularly Todd McCray, a young disabled man who had found his calling in life at the shelter. And perhaps someone to share it with him.
I really loved the themes and tone of this book. Being an animal lover and, I tentatively use the word, environmentalist, I am too familiar with the call to save animals coming at the cost of humans. This book never suggested that animals should come first, but it also never lost sight of the fact that we are responsible for animals. It’s easy to focus of the big issues of endangered species and rainforests, but Mr. Kincaid’s story suggests sometimes we miss the need right in our own backyard.
Setting aside the stories of the animals and the shelter, this is also something of a coming of age story. I don’t know Todd from the earlier book, but I felt there was significant growth to his character as the plot progressed. He started as a mature young man, starting out in the world with his first job, and grew into a man of leadership and vision. I loved that his relationship with Laura wasn't a token romance or over romanticized and felt natural and organic to the story.
As far as an audience for this book, the writing was very clear and the content very clean so I would say age appropriateness would be determined more by the reader’s reading level. While it takes place at Christmas, I wouldn’t classify it as Christmas story at all and certainly wouldn’t regulate reading it to that season. But it’s definitely something I would recommend people who like animal stories should look for or even if you’re just in the market for an uplifting read.
Reblogged from my site: myrdan.com
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
January 3, 2013
If you ever saw the Hallmark movie A Dog Called Christmas (or read the book by the same title), you will be familiar with the special black lab Christmas and his family the McCrays. As the sequel A Christmas Home opens, the holiday season again approaches; and Todd, now a few years older, has found success working at the same animal shelter where Christmas had lived. Both his parents, George and Mary Ann, are pleased that their son has found a life of semi-independence despite his his disabilities, so both worry when the community receives the unexpected news that the city and county have withdrawn all financial support to the shelter. The property must be vacated by January 1. Not only will Todd and the shelter director be without employment, they must hurry over the next weeks to find homes for the fifty-some animals currently under their care. Factory closings and foreclosures are common place in this Kansas area and each month it is harder to find new homes for the four legged victims of a "down economy."
I am sure you realize this is a "feel good" book for the holidays. Too often those stories sink into sappiness or pit the "good side" (main character and family) against the "bad side"(the mayor, boss, or land developer). Author Kincaid did not fall into that trap, although I really doubt that a real shelter would be closed without more adequate notice. This sequel to the popular first story offers lessons that go beyond the surface, "Love a dog" theme. First, you will learn quite a bit about service dogs as Todd, with help from a service training center in Kansas, has trained a shelter dog to help his dear friend Laura, but perhaps the greatest lesson is on not judging people by their apparent weaknesses without recognizing their strengths. Todd's disability is a mental slowness that is not clearly defined in the story, but it is obvious that his shelter job is one within his abilities and one that he loves. Most around him think this is all he could handle, not realizing the real talent he has. Todd himself is unsure of the future, but he does not want to fall back into the "safety net" of living with his parents and doing nothing. For a while, his future seems as bleak as the dogs' But all those hard learned lessons of self-sufficiency will pay off for the determined young Kansas man.
Greg Kincaid is a practicing lawyer in Kansas whose passions include improving the lives of animals (dogs, especially) and promoting literacy. His website biography points out that he and his sister have always been voracious readers, mainly because his mother read to them daily. Aside from his career as a corporate lawyer, Greg also found time to represent those in need in rural Kansas, often children in trouble. He observed, whether visiting them in their homes, shelters, or jails, one thing seemed to be consistently missing -- books. That began a 20 year plus campaign to promote literacy.
That alone makes him a librarian's hero -- that he can write wholesome stories is an added bonus!
I am sure you realize this is a "feel good" book for the holidays. Too often those stories sink into sappiness or pit the "good side" (main character and family) against the "bad side"(the mayor, boss, or land developer). Author Kincaid did not fall into that trap, although I really doubt that a real shelter would be closed without more adequate notice. This sequel to the popular first story offers lessons that go beyond the surface, "Love a dog" theme. First, you will learn quite a bit about service dogs as Todd, with help from a service training center in Kansas, has trained a shelter dog to help his dear friend Laura, but perhaps the greatest lesson is on not judging people by their apparent weaknesses without recognizing their strengths. Todd's disability is a mental slowness that is not clearly defined in the story, but it is obvious that his shelter job is one within his abilities and one that he loves. Most around him think this is all he could handle, not realizing the real talent he has. Todd himself is unsure of the future, but he does not want to fall back into the "safety net" of living with his parents and doing nothing. For a while, his future seems as bleak as the dogs' But all those hard learned lessons of self-sufficiency will pay off for the determined young Kansas man.
Greg Kincaid is a practicing lawyer in Kansas whose passions include improving the lives of animals (dogs, especially) and promoting literacy. His website biography points out that he and his sister have always been voracious readers, mainly because his mother read to them daily. Aside from his career as a corporate lawyer, Greg also found time to represent those in need in rural Kansas, often children in trouble. He observed, whether visiting them in their homes, shelters, or jails, one thing seemed to be consistently missing -- books. That began a 20 year plus campaign to promote literacy.
That alone makes him a librarian's hero -- that he can write wholesome stories is an added bonus!
November 11, 2012
I loved the book as well as the Hallmark movie "A Dog Named Christmas" so when I learned that "A Christmas Home" was the sequel to that wonderful book I was totally excited to read it. I found myself drawn into the story from the beginning pages.
The town of Crossings Trail is like so many other towns across the US. People are losing their jobs and unable to make their mortgage payments, and have to leave their homes, when they go they often leave their animals behind. Most of the animals wind up at the Crossing Trails animal shelter where twenty four year old Todd McCray works. Todd has become fast friends with Laura Jordan an LPN as well as a volunteer at the shelter. Laura has a disability that becomes much easier to manage when Todd and his dog Christmas train Gracie, a retriever mix to become Laura's service dog. Todd's life seems to be going pretty well, until he gets the news from his boss that the shelter will be closing. What will happen to the dogs at the shelter, and what about Todd, will he find a new job, and will his friendship with Laura turn into something more?
Anyone who enjoys reading a heart touching story that involves dogs will find themselves drawn into this story immediately. It was so easy to imagine the problems that Crossing's Trail was experiencing, because it reflects what is going on in real life. The relationship between Todd and his parents was wonderful. Todd was a young man, whom the reader knows has a disability but he doesn't allow that to stop him from working hard for something that he believes in. The story between him and Laura was interesting and kept me wondering what might happen between the two. Overall, I am a sucker for anything that involves dogs in the story line so would have been hooked because of that, but there is much more to this story. A heartfelt inspiring story that would be great for all ages!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
The town of Crossings Trail is like so many other towns across the US. People are losing their jobs and unable to make their mortgage payments, and have to leave their homes, when they go they often leave their animals behind. Most of the animals wind up at the Crossing Trails animal shelter where twenty four year old Todd McCray works. Todd has become fast friends with Laura Jordan an LPN as well as a volunteer at the shelter. Laura has a disability that becomes much easier to manage when Todd and his dog Christmas train Gracie, a retriever mix to become Laura's service dog. Todd's life seems to be going pretty well, until he gets the news from his boss that the shelter will be closing. What will happen to the dogs at the shelter, and what about Todd, will he find a new job, and will his friendship with Laura turn into something more?
Anyone who enjoys reading a heart touching story that involves dogs will find themselves drawn into this story immediately. It was so easy to imagine the problems that Crossing's Trail was experiencing, because it reflects what is going on in real life. The relationship between Todd and his parents was wonderful. Todd was a young man, whom the reader knows has a disability but he doesn't allow that to stop him from working hard for something that he believes in. The story between him and Laura was interesting and kept me wondering what might happen between the two. Overall, I am a sucker for anything that involves dogs in the story line so would have been hooked because of that, but there is much more to this story. A heartfelt inspiring story that would be great for all ages!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2012
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crown Publishing for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.
A Christmas Home is a wonderful tale about Todd and his black lab Christmas. Todd is a special needs young man who works at an animal shelter that is in the process of being shut down. Despite Todd's apparent disability he is living proof that anyone can attain any goal once they set their mind to it. He refuses to allow his disability to govern his life and has an almost normal life. He works a job, lives on his own and has an amazing talent as dog trainer. He trains an equally talented dog named Gracie to help his special needs friend, Laura. Laura is another amazing character who also does not allow her disability to hold her down.
Author Greg Kinkaid is an amazing writer. He pulls you into the story from the very beginning and keeps you until the very last page of the story. This is one book that was hard to put down as you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next. The story was very heart-felt and easy to identify with. He makes you fall in love with the characters to the point where you feel as though you are a part of their very lives.
The story was very descriptive and very well written. The author's natural ability to tell a heart-warming story only intensifies his ability to capture his audience. Anyone who enjoys a heart-felt story about a young man and his dog is bound to enjoy this one. I recommend this book as a must read; you definitely won't be disappointed.
A Christmas Home is a wonderful tale about Todd and his black lab Christmas. Todd is a special needs young man who works at an animal shelter that is in the process of being shut down. Despite Todd's apparent disability he is living proof that anyone can attain any goal once they set their mind to it. He refuses to allow his disability to govern his life and has an almost normal life. He works a job, lives on his own and has an amazing talent as dog trainer. He trains an equally talented dog named Gracie to help his special needs friend, Laura. Laura is another amazing character who also does not allow her disability to hold her down.
Author Greg Kinkaid is an amazing writer. He pulls you into the story from the very beginning and keeps you until the very last page of the story. This is one book that was hard to put down as you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next. The story was very heart-felt and easy to identify with. He makes you fall in love with the characters to the point where you feel as though you are a part of their very lives.
The story was very descriptive and very well written. The author's natural ability to tell a heart-warming story only intensifies his ability to capture his audience. Anyone who enjoys a heart-felt story about a young man and his dog is bound to enjoy this one. I recommend this book as a must read; you definitely won't be disappointed.
December 28, 2012
It was my intent to post this review prior to Christmas (note book title!), but a variety of family crises prevented that. However, the book is worthy of a review and here it is.
At the heart of A Christmas Home is a town struggling to survive like so many others. A young man with multiple challenges ahead of him, especially if he loses his job and that fact is a strong possibility. And there is a light romantic interest for this same young man which also has to fit into this puzzle.
However, at the core of all these issues and problems is a story filled with an underlying theme of unconditional love. What better kind of story could there be for Greg Kincaid’s famous dog named Christmas! I do wish I had read the first book, A Dog Named Christmas, before this one, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of Kincaid’s storytelling and flowing writing style.
As in many small towns across America today, Greg Kincaid’s characters show rich courage and bravery, the will to overcome their limitations, and in so doing share with us a story of perseverance.
Although set in the Christmas season, A Christmas Home would be a delightful and uplifting read during any season of the year. I highly recommend it for families with upper elementary and middle school children to share as something to be read leading up to Christmas.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
At the heart of A Christmas Home is a town struggling to survive like so many others. A young man with multiple challenges ahead of him, especially if he loses his job and that fact is a strong possibility. And there is a light romantic interest for this same young man which also has to fit into this puzzle.
However, at the core of all these issues and problems is a story filled with an underlying theme of unconditional love. What better kind of story could there be for Greg Kincaid’s famous dog named Christmas! I do wish I had read the first book, A Dog Named Christmas, before this one, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of Kincaid’s storytelling and flowing writing style.
As in many small towns across America today, Greg Kincaid’s characters show rich courage and bravery, the will to overcome their limitations, and in so doing share with us a story of perseverance.
Although set in the Christmas season, A Christmas Home would be a delightful and uplifting read during any season of the year. I highly recommend it for families with upper elementary and middle school children to share as something to be read leading up to Christmas.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
January 2, 2013
I read Kincaid's first book, "A Dog Named Christmas". It was a very feel good, family story; perfect for the Hallmark movie it became. This second book follows much along the same lines only introducing new challenges for Todd such as the struggling economy of a very small town, loss of his job and the never-ending problem of unwanted animals.
My main complaints with the book are:
1. When the main character, Todd, is considering going to work for the local dairy, the author chooses to portray the dairy as a huge factory farm that doesn't care about the animals, only cares about making money. He even goes so far as to make a racial slur stating that the "migrant workers" (is this term even used anymore???)at the dairy just put up with the atrocities in order to not cause trouble with their bosses. Really????
2. The author also slams any shelter that doesn't have a "no-kill" policy. As a veterinarian whose business struggles EVERY day with the issue of unwanted pets, I took offense to his "Pollyanna" perspective.
I realize the book is merely fiction, but while the author was in central Kansas visiting Kansas Specialty Dog Services as part of his research for this book, he should have visited the dairy just south of there or come to Abilene to help us out by taking a few more stray dogs home...
My main complaints with the book are:
1. When the main character, Todd, is considering going to work for the local dairy, the author chooses to portray the dairy as a huge factory farm that doesn't care about the animals, only cares about making money. He even goes so far as to make a racial slur stating that the "migrant workers" (is this term even used anymore???)at the dairy just put up with the atrocities in order to not cause trouble with their bosses. Really????
2. The author also slams any shelter that doesn't have a "no-kill" policy. As a veterinarian whose business struggles EVERY day with the issue of unwanted pets, I took offense to his "Pollyanna" perspective.
I realize the book is merely fiction, but while the author was in central Kansas visiting Kansas Specialty Dog Services as part of his research for this book, he should have visited the dairy just south of there or come to Abilene to help us out by taking a few more stray dogs home...
December 4, 2024
I read A Dog Named Christmas over ten years ago, and I always wanted to read the rest, so am really glad that I finally picked this one up. This book takes place several years after the first one and Todd is now in his twenties. He's been working at the local animal shelter, which is in danger of closing. It is there that he met Laura, a young woman who also has disabilities. Todd and Christmas help to train Gracie, who becomes Laura's service dog. Todd won't let the animals get sent to another shelter, one that is not a "no-kill" shelter and does everything he can to find them all homes. He also has to find a new job. He has a couple of options, but which one will he actually get? Will the animals all find a new home?
This was a sweet story. I loved meeting up with Todd again. He is such a delightful, dedicated young man. He may have developmental disabilities, but he has a caring nature, patience and a wonderful work ethic. It seems there is also romance in the air for Todd and Laura. I don't want to give the story away, but I will say, there is a happy ending for all those animals as well as Todd. This was a hopeful and joyous story that I recommend to those who enjoy animal stories as well as Christmas.
This was a sweet story. I loved meeting up with Todd again. He is such a delightful, dedicated young man. He may have developmental disabilities, but he has a caring nature, patience and a wonderful work ethic. It seems there is also romance in the air for Todd and Laura. I don't want to give the story away, but I will say, there is a happy ending for all those animals as well as Todd. This was a hopeful and joyous story that I recommend to those who enjoy animal stories as well as Christmas.
December 31, 2012
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
A small town in Kansas has seen it's share of troubled economic times and a lot of people and pets are losing their homes. With no other financial means, a lot of sweet dogs end up in the shelter run by Todd. The city is running out of money as well which leads to a limited amount of funds for the shelter and an overwhelming amount of animals being abandoned. As Todd tries to overcome his own disabilities and maintain an independent life, it all may be threatened if the shelter is forced to close.
At the shelter, he meets Laura, who has her own physical limits and Todd trains a reserved Lab to assist her. The dog named Christmas (from the first book in this series), brings out the best of everyone as they fight to save the shelter. Laura encourages Todd to be the best he can be and stand up for what he believes in. There is a collective sigh of release when Todd again pulls off a Christmas miracle again. I loved the story and was in tears the first chapter since it starts out with an abandon dog injured in a car accident. I was so glad that it had a happy ending. This book can stand alone but it is nice to read them in order.
LOVED IT
A small town in Kansas has seen it's share of troubled economic times and a lot of people and pets are losing their homes. With no other financial means, a lot of sweet dogs end up in the shelter run by Todd. The city is running out of money as well which leads to a limited amount of funds for the shelter and an overwhelming amount of animals being abandoned. As Todd tries to overcome his own disabilities and maintain an independent life, it all may be threatened if the shelter is forced to close.
At the shelter, he meets Laura, who has her own physical limits and Todd trains a reserved Lab to assist her. The dog named Christmas (from the first book in this series), brings out the best of everyone as they fight to save the shelter. Laura encourages Todd to be the best he can be and stand up for what he believes in. There is a collective sigh of release when Todd again pulls off a Christmas miracle again. I loved the story and was in tears the first chapter since it starts out with an abandon dog injured in a car accident. I was so glad that it had a happy ending. This book can stand alone but it is nice to read them in order.
August 1, 2015
This was a nice little story, about a dog, who was left behind in a house, when his owners couldn't afford to keep him. The dog was found, and taken home. Todd was a young man with disabilities, who trained the dog to be a service dog for a blind young woman. Todd and Laura, the blind girl, worked as volunteers in the towns animal shelter, which had to be closed for lack of city funding. Todd's parents worried about their son, and the mother pampered him. He moved into his own cabin, and he tried to find a job. His dad called an old friend, who offered Todd a job, that wasn't a job, that would make Todd happy. Todd went out on his own to find a job training service dogs, which required him to move to another city. His parents had to come to terms with their empty nest.
I think the story could have been fleshed out more. It was an O. K. story.
I think the story could have been fleshed out more. It was an O. K. story.
May 7, 2020
This may seem like just another of Greg Kincaid's books about heart-warming dogs and it is, but it also has more levels. Poor socio-economics lead many families to desert their beloved pets which strains the meager resources of the town's animal shelter. This condition isn't a work of fiction. It continues to happen all across our country so the author is shining the light on the need for us to contribute homes, food and support to our local shelters.
The main character is a young man with developmental disabilities. Instead of being a burden to society, he uses his strengths (his love of animals) to rescue as many animals and find them homes as possible.
Review by Becky Brinkley, author of Rodeo Clown Comes to Town
The main character is a young man with developmental disabilities. Instead of being a burden to society, he uses his strengths (his love of animals) to rescue as many animals and find them homes as possible.
Review by Becky Brinkley, author of Rodeo Clown Comes to Town
November 30, 2016
The story lost focus for me. In the beginning, we read about a dog named Gracie whose family is forced to abandon her. Then the story jumps forward a year later, showing what happened to Gracie and intertwining her tale with a dog named Christmas. In the end it's all about Christmas. It's possible that it would have helped me if I had read the book leading up to this one, "A Dog Named Christmas." That said, the characters were like able and real to me. And I loved the reference to a photo in the story which was inspired by a photo of the author and his grandfather and is included at the end.
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