I thought about waiting until next Christmas to share this blog post, but I want to get it out now while it's still fresh in my mind. Well, sort of. I finished reading the book almost one month ago. I experienced some emotions while reading it that I want to remember.
I had never heard of this book before until it was in my holiday-themed bundle bag from the library. I chose the theme (holiday fiction) and they chose the books and movies. This was one of the books they gave me. It's a fairly easy read. Many people I know could probably finish it in a day or two. I read it over the course of a week.
The Dogs of Christmas takes place mostly during fall season. Very little of it happens on Christmas or even in December. So it's also a good book to read in the fall to help you get in the spirit of the Christmas season if you like to do that early.
One of the first things that came to my mind while reading this book was "Hallmark movie". It's a love story where two people are brought together as one coaches the other on how to care for dogs that are suddenly left in his care. There are some things that happen in the book where I think to myself, "That would never happen in real life, especially nowadays." (Or maybe it would and I just don't realize it.) I'm thinking about when Kerri shows up announced at the Josh's home and he lets her in like it's no big deal. They had spoken on the phone while she was at work at the shelter and he was seeking advice about the first dog left for him, but they had never met in person before. So why would she show up at his house unannounced? That seems unprofessional on her part and naive on his part to let her in. Something I found distracting was the way she talks. "Right then" is a common phrase she uses. I also found the character of Josh a bit awkward.
Those are little things that I could forgive. Thanks to the dogs, it truly is a heart-warming story that has tearjerker moments throughout. It touches on some sensitive, but sadly true, topics when it comes to animal adoption and abandonment. The end of each chapter had me eager to move on to the next one. One thing that deeply touched me was that one of the puppies is blind. I found myself rooting for that one in particular, given Qandi's situation. It melted my heart to read about the way another puppy helped the one that was blind. Qandi doesn't have a furry companion, but the story made me think of the way I try to help her.
If you have ever had a pet or considered adopting one, or if you simply love animals, then this book is probably for you. The story line is simple, but deeply touching. It is a love story (that isn't always rosy) between two people, but it's also a love story between dogs and between humans and their pets. Although I'm more of a cat person and I only have a cat, I was easily able to relate to the book from the perspective of a cat mom. The end of this book is mostly (though not completely) predictable, but the journey to get there isn't always so. That's what kept me wanted to read on and I believe my fellow animal lovers will too.
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