Recently in christmas Category

We'll post more about this as the broadcast approaches, but one of my favorite dog rescue groups -- BorderColliesInNeed.org (my dogs Cowboy & Tess were both adopted from BC's In Need) -- is among the many sponsors of the National Pet Fostering Program insipired by a book and a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie that will air on Nov. 29.

"A Dog Named Christmas" will be shown on CBS and will direct viewers to Petfinder.com to find shelters and rescue groups in their areas that are participating in "Foster a Lonely Pet" program.

The film, based on the best-selling book by Greg Kincaid, is about Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man living on his parents' Kansas farm. When he hears that a local animal shelter seeks temporary homes for its dogs during the holidays leading up to Christmas, Todd asks his parents for a dog that he names Christmas.

From there, Todd uses his gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the "Adopt a Dog for Christmas," with lessons in kindness and goodwill flowing abundantly from there.

If you're interested in participating in this program, and can welcome a dog into your home for two months during the holidays, check with BorderColliesInNeed (email them at Rescue@BorderColliesInNeed.org).

And stay tuned for more information about the project as we get it. Maybe we can even feature some of you who decide to bring a shelter or rescue dog home for the holidays.

Although the dog is Episcopalian, we don't celebrate Christmas in my house. It's not like a day goes by when he doesn't get a toy anyway.

   And the cat, well the cat has no interest in anything except pooping in the shower and sleeping.

Still, even though money is tight, Americans would rather spend money on their pets than they would other people.

Yay, America!

In a survey released last week by the American Kennel Club, 81 percent of respondents said they would buy holiday gifts for their dogs, and 69 percent would sooner tighten their belts on friends and extended family than tighten the collars on their dogs. And 65 percent would rather eat ramen noodles than make their dogs eat on the cheap.

Imagine your dog on a greeting card singing (well, woofing) "Deck the Halls."

It's a novel idea called Critter Carols.  

You can download images of your own cats or dogs -- even dress them up in cute little virual hats and jackets -- for a unique animated holiday greeting card.

HT: Mashable 

So here's the scoop on yesterday's "Shop and Adopt" event to benefit the San Pedro Animal Care Center:

6 dogs,

                                                                                  4 cats,

 and 1 turtle.   

All got new homes.

A big thanks to all the volunteers and shelter staffers who worked the event. If you missed this one, there will be another vendor fair on Dec. 21.

Round up those critters. Santa's coming to town -- and several local malls and shopping  centers are setting aside times for pet photos with Santa. (Check out    our earlier post about one of the malls.)

So Hark! Here's the scoop:                  

• South Bay Galleria at 1815 Hawthorne Blvd. (at Artesia) in Redondo Beach: 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8; 8-9 p.m. Dec. 15. (310-371-7546)
• Del Amo Fashion Center at Hawthorne Boulevard and Carson Street: 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 (a Sunday). Bring your dog or cat through the Mall 11 entrance just outside the security office. (310-542-8525)
• South Bay Pavilion at 20700 Avalon Blvd., Carson: 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 (dogs and cats only). (310-366-6636)
• Manhattan Village at 3200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28 (the Friday after Thanksgiving); near the center court. (310-426-6313)

Your dog may not thank you. Neither will Santa.

But you'll enjoy watching it all happen. 

Photo: Santa tries to put a puppy at ease at a Friends of Feral event recently in Alabama