December is here, and with it has come some very welcome colder weather in South Texas. My house is fully decorated for the holidays, and I’ve spent the last several nights curled up on the couch by the fireplace, snuggled up with my dogs and a good book. Several years ago, I read and enjoyed Greg Kincaid’s Christmas novel Noelle, the third story featuring characters first introduced in his hit novel A Dog Named Christmas. Even though I hadn’t read that first book, I was charmed by Noelle’s sweet message and told myself I’d eventually go back and start the series from the beginning. This week, nestled between my two dogs on the couch, I finally did just that.
George McCray has always been protective of his son, Todd. Todd, who faces certain developmental challenges, still lives on the family’s Kansas farm well into young adulthood. George knows his son’s heart is good, but he also knows how unkind the world can be. As Christmas approaches, Todd learns that the local animal shelter is seeking families to foster their dogs for the holidays, giving the animals a brief respite from shelter life. Todd is instantly taken with the idea and longs to bring a dog home for the season. George is more hesitant. The thought of Todd bonding with a dog only to face the inevitable heartbreak of returning it on December 26th fills him with dread.
But Todd’s persistence—and his unfailing optimism—win out. Soon, the McCrays welcome a lovable dog into their home. Still, Todd can’t help but think about all the other dogs destined to spend the holiday in cages. So, using his natural charm and determination, he rallies his entire community to join the Adopt a Dog for Christmas program. What begins as one boy’s simple act of kindness becomes a lesson in compassion that transforms not just his family, but the whole town, reminding everyone of the true spirit of the season.
A Dog Named Christmas is a sweet little holiday story that highlights the power of community, the comfort of family, and the loyal love of our four-legged friends. Greg Kincaid writes with an approachable, heartfelt prose that perfectly suits this sentimental tale. Yes, it’s predictable and reads like something straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie, but honestly, that’s exactly the kind of story I’m perfectly happy to curl up with this time of year. In fact, the novel was later adapted into just such a film.
My only real complaint is the way the book handles Todd’s accessibility needs. Written in 2008, it includes the “R” word, which caught me completely off guard. Having read the third book in the series, it’s clear Kincaid’s perspective evolved with the times, but readers should be aware of that characterization before diving in. That said, I still enjoyed this cozy holiday read, especially while snuggled up with my own two dogs.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2025, 95)
