The Christmas Dog

Another day, another Christmas book! I am steadily reading my way through the Christmas category on my Kindle. And what better way to treat myself but with a novella by the Queen of Christmas Books! I think that Melody Carlson’s The Christmas Dog, just might be my favorite of her many titles. I loved this book, and think you will to.

Betty is tired and lonely and not really willing to get out of her ruts. But when her adult granddaughter and a lost little dog show up on her doorstep, Betty is challenged to look beyond the surface and challenge what she can see with her eyes. And with a belligerent neighbor, her pastor’s sermon to love her neighbor is really put to the test.

I loved that the focus of The Christmas Dog was on an older show more woman. Betty has had a lot of challenges in her life — an early widowhood and raising 2 children on her own. She believes her life is confined by her limited income and her circumstances. But a dog, a granddaughter and a neighbor work together to get Betty beyond herself. Not really selfish as much as self-focused, Betty’s character evolves within the story. The book also challenged my own fears, insecurities and rush to judgment.

A good choice for holiday reading, I recommend The Christmas Dog.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults. show less

It might take a whole village to raise a child, but it only takes one small dog to bring peace and understanding to a neighborhood. Betty and her neighbors distrust and fear their new neighbor, and Betty considers moving, just to avoid him. But her pastor tells his congregation that they should love their neighbors and so Betty tries. But is it not until a small and very dirty stray dog appears that real communication begins. This delightful Christmas story is a quick read and happy tale. There are problems to be solved, but the Christmas spirit of goodwill can’t be stopped, especially when it’s a canine who is spreading it.

It’s a delightful, heartwarming story about how something as small as a dog can enter our lives and offer friendship, comfort and love. One truly outstanding aspect of this story is the excellent, detailed development of the main character, Betty. You will feel sympathy for her plight and at the same time she will drive you crazy. The author manages to bring all of the characters into the plot and connect their lives. This book is definitely a keeper.

I have to admit, I got quite a chuckle from reading this story. The story is not meant to be humorous, but to me the silliness of the main character was what set off my funny bone. I suppose it's because I know a few people just like our main character, Betty Kowalski. You know the type. Betty is a widow, living in her house alone; her grown children have their own children and are busy with their lives and are scattered all over the country. Unlike some people she knows, she does not live in a gated community with security built in, nor does she live in a secured building with buzzers. Her neighborhood is a typical neighborhood with friends she's lived near about half her life.

The part I find funny is her attitude toward a new show more neighbor. She knew who used to live in that house when it was in its prime. Now, the house is old and worn and more than a little bit shabby. She's convinced that he must be a squatter. When hammering and sawing sounds came from the house at night and the pink toilet appeared in the back yard, she was even more suspicious. Then when that viewpoint didn't seem to work, she wondered if he was a criminal. He never answered the door. He didn't talk to anyone, and no one had ever seen him smile. It wouldn't have been so bad if she'd kept her thoughts to herself, but she was not as quiet as she should have been with her opinions to her friends and neighbors. Now the newcomer is ignored and snubbed by most of the neighborhood.

Betty's attitude was worth several eye rolls in my opinion, and even one of her daughters felt she was being unfair. But that happens when fear overrules reason and you are alone. The author did a great job writing about this type of fear and isolation so that the reader would feel somewhat irritated while still understanding the woman and her ridiculous assumptions. This is not a typical Christmas story.

The turning point happens when a little dirty unclaimed dog appears and Betty assumes he belongs to the neighbor. He in turn assumes it is hers, so for a little while we are viewing a ridiculous tug of war. Poor dog. In the end, this dog actually becomes an integral part of transformed attitudes, but you're going to have to read the book to find out how.

A rebellious granddaughter shows up at Betty's house after Thanksgiving, and adds to the confusion of conflicts. My favorite part is how the little scruffy dog wins over hearts little by little and brings about quite a transformation of attitudes. But things have to get worse before they get better. As usual my favorite author of Christmas stories has penned another winner. show less

The picture I had of Ralph in my head didn't look anything like the dog on the book cover.

At first, I didn't realize Betty was a widow. I guess I misread the first church scene because to me, it made it sound like her husband was there with her. Betty seems a bit lonely and down. She's concerned that the new owner of a neighbor's house is changing it too.

Then a stray dog shows up, one whom Betty decides must belong to the new neighbor. Betty's twenty-something granddaughter (Avery) shows up too. Both of them open Betty's eyes to being more connected within her neighborhood. But there are a few bumps along the way.

I thought the story itself was kind of "fluff" but I was glad to see Avery bring her grandmother out of the rut she was in. I show more was glad to see Avery start being more mature as befits her twenty-something age and that instead of avoiding her mother and stepfather, she does take the initiative to call them when Betty asks. show less

Summary: Betty is finding it difficult to get excited about Christmas this season. Her children have grown up and moved away. She will be alone for the holidays. The neighborhood she lives in is changing, not for the better and she's contemplating moving. In addition, her new next door neighbor, Jack is creeping her out. Not to mention the feuding between them over property boundaries. In a downer mood, Betty is seriously considering not even bringing out her Christmas decorations, because really, who would ever notice? Everything changes though when two things happen: 1.) a mangy, stray dog keeps showing up at her doorstep and 2.) she gets an unexpected visit from her adult granddaughter who may end up sticking around for the holidays. show more Somehow these two visitors lead Betty to re-discover the true meaning of the Christmas season.

Ramblings: This story takes place in suburbia, in an affluent neighborhood. The neighbors are very judgmental, including the main character Betty an elderly woman, probably in her early seventies. It was difficult to feel too much compassion for the old woman's situation, because she seemed somewhat hypocritical, claiming to be Christian, but her actions seemed just the opposite of her beliefs. The story opens with a lot of belly aching, complaining and whining. All directed towards the new neighbor, the young Jack who has moved in and began a massive remodel project next door. Its almost over the top, more than most readers could take. However, don't give up just yet, A Christmas Dog does begin to redeem itself when Betty's granddaughter, Avery enters the story. Avery, a twenty-three year old lost soul, trying to find her own way in the world is a very endearing character. She has real life problems, but hasn't been left with a cold heart. Avery is the one who first open's herself up to the little stray dog, most likely because she finds both their life situations similar. A Christmas Dog is a quick read, which wraps up in a satisfying way. Its not totally predictable, plus it is warm and fuzzy.

Recommendation: A quick, easy to read, which only took me a couple of days to get through. The story has enough drama and unanswered questions to keep the reader entertained enough to continue reading to find out how the author comes to a point of resolution. I would say it would suit adult readers and animal lovers looking for a little pick me up read for Christmas. It does have religion and christian themes, but they are definitely subtle and wouldn't ruin the story for those who have a different faith. Though the title leads the reader to believe the story is mainly about a dog - it isn't. So if you are reading it for just this reason and no other - skip it. I guess what I'm saying is I would have like to have read more about the dog! show less

Betty is a widow on fixed income. She and her neighbor, Jack whose backyards adjoin are having a dispute. Christmas is coming soon and Betty is having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. A dirty, little, hungry dog appears in Betty's yard, she is not pleased. Soon after that Betty's granddaughter, Avery arrives having had a fight with her parents and asks to stay with Betty. Avery takes to the dog and bathes him and feeds him. Betty does not want the dog and secretly plans to drop him off at the animal shelter. The dog runs into Jack's yard and Avery befriends Jack. In the end, all three people are brought together all due to a little dog.