There is never a time of year when stray dogs are not with us but the time between Christmas and Easter is when they abound.  The cute Christmas pup has grown into a gangly adolescent, people are back at work, children back at school, the novelty of having a dog has worn off, if it hasn't had training during the school holidays it is unlikely to get it now; full of energy, lonely and bored it gets into mischief; it is surrendered to the nearest animal shelter, given away or simply lost. If it is very lucky it may find a loving home or it may just become a statistic; one of the many thousand dogs born each year who will not reach maturity.

If you are looking for a four-legged family member now is a good time  for shelters everywhere are packed to capacity with young healthy dogs just past that cute baby stage..
I have just finished reading one of the loveliest dog books I have ever come across; THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DOGS by CANDIDA BAKER. It is a collection of short pieces about real dogs, The heroes, and the not so good ones, not too many of the latter, the strays and the people they find, it is a testimony to friendship and love and a wonderful glimpse of what makes a dog tick. Published in 2010 by Allen & Unwin. A great gift for a dog loving friend or someone with their first dog. But be sure to read it first yourself!

If you have a story to hearten and uplift about stray dog making good share it others who read this blog.

This Henry, my much loved friend and companion, his early life is a closed book, I met him when he was behind bars in a Shelter, he was something between one and two years old and had actually been adopted and returned. Why I cannot understand for he is one of the nicest dogs one could ever wish to meet.