Last weekend I had the privilege of sharing my review for Megan Rix’s wonderful memoir The Puppy That Came for Christmas. It was a fabulous read not only for dog lovers but for readers that simply love a heartwarming story. Her writing is superb and so when she offered to share with us an article for the site I couldn’t say yes quickly enough! So, without further hesitation on my part, Megan Rix’s Top 5 Christmas Gifts…

‘Top 5 Christmas Gifts’ to think of – and I haven’t even started PROPER Christmas shopping yet. And it’s nearly Christmas – yikes!

So gifts for those I love – in order of age – for Bella our golden retriever who is now one whole puppy year old there is really only one thing she is interested in at the moment and that’s balls – the more the merrier as she gets through them and some end up in the river because I’m not very good at throwing. (photo available)

Traffy, the star of my memoir ‘The Puppy that Came For Christmas’ likes soft toys – preferably ones with arms or legs to make them easy to carry around. (photo available)

Husband Ian is really hard to buy for. I bought him grass seeds from his favourite soccer team Manchester United’s Old Trafford pitch last Christmas – but they haven’t even been planted yet! Gadgets are always good but he’s got gadgets galore – what he’d really like is another puppy…

For myself what I’d really LIKE is three alpacas – and somewhere new to live, by the sea, with enough pasture for the alpacas to eat.
But what I really NEED is a lightning fast pen or lightning fast typing fingers that I can get all the books I have to write in the next year finished with: ‘Traffy at Two’ (working title) my second memoir, ‘Cat Magic’ (written as Ruth Symes – it’s the fourth in the Bella Donna series of children’s novels – the first three have just been sold to China – can’t wait to see them in Chinese!) And last but not least – my first children’s novel written as Megan Rix and published by Puffin, coming out in the summer. It’s called ‘The Great Escape’ and is about 3 pets who narrowly escape death in World War 2 and cross the country meeting Winston Churchill on the way (he was a huge cat fan) to be reunited with their evacuated owners. I loved doing the research!
Is that 5? I think it might be.
I wish you the gifts of health and joy and lots of good books to read in 2012.
Thanks for inviting me to blog!
Love Meg xxx

The Puppy That Came for Christmas by Megan Rix

Marley, Oogy, Huck-and now, Traffy, the “forever dog” that changed one couple’s life.

All Megan Rix ever wanted was a baby. Yet, month after month, Megan’s dreams were dashed. Would her life ever feel complete?

Megan and her husband, Ian, found a surprising answer when they began training golden retriever pups to become service dogs for people with disabilities. But opening their homes and hearts up to Emma, and then Freddy-only to have each move on after six months-eventually took its own toll. Megan and Ian didn’t know if they could continue. Then, one Christmas, little Traffy came along … and stayed. An instant U.K. bestseller, The Puppy That Came for Christmas is a heartwarming and inspirational story that will captivate dog lovers everywhere.