A shelter dog who has spent three years at the Cheltenham Animal Shelter gets the best Christmas gift ever — getting adopted and spending the holiday season with his forever family.
“We have THE BEST news to share with you this Christmas!” The UK-based animal shelter shared on Friday, December 20 on their Facebook page.
The animal shelter also shared how the dog, an Akita named Kato, first came to their shelter in 2021.
Kato came to their shelter with his best friend, Poppy, in April 2021 after their owner passed away.
“Despite our best efforts, we just could not find anyone willing to take on these two large dogs, who were the best of friends, and time marched on with them living together in one of our kennels,” Cheltenham Animal Shelter shares.
While no adopter were willing to take on these two dogs, Kato and Poppy seemed happy to be together in the shelter.
However, in July 2023, Kato’s best friend, Poppy, passed away, which left Kato alone and depressed.
“Our staff rallied round, and Kato became a regular fixture in our offices during the day, but at night we could tell he missed his friend greatly.“
The animal shelter hoped that since Kato is now by himself, it’ll be easier to get him adopted. “But sadly this was not to be, Kato settled in his new routine and bonded even more with our team,” the animal shelter shared.
Wanting Kato to finally go to his forever home, the animal shelter worked with other charities to spread the word about Kato and promoted him on the animal shelter’s social media, newsletters, and in local press.
“Then one day in October 2024 a lovely couple called David and Jackie got in touch having recently lost their beloved Siberian husky, Shadow,” Cheltenham Animal Shelter explains. “They had seen our appeals to find a home for Kato and were keen to see if they could meet him.”
Describing the couple and Kato’s first meeting as something “clearly meant to be”, the animal shelter reveals that the couple wasn’t expecting too much, but Kato ran over to them and introduced himself.
Over the next couple of weeks, the couple met with Kato at the shelter on several occasions before the couple had Kato visit their home.
“It is safe to say that Kato approved of his new surroundings, immediately taking over the chair that Shadow once slept in.”
The Cheltenham Animal Shelter reveals that Kato’s wishes finally came true, like Christmas magic, and recently went home to Jackie and David, ready to spend his first ever Christmas in a loving, forever home for the first time in three years.
“He recently went to his forever home, in a lovely rural village, with endless walks and fields to explore. His new family dote on him and are chuffed to bits that they were able to offer him a lovely new home where he will spend Christmas this year,” the animal shelter wrote.
We all know dogs can be a little naughty – from stealing stocks, knocking over the Christmas tree, to rummaging through the trash can.
Regardless if they were a good boy/girl or a mischievous little pooch this year, one thing’s for sure – they deserve to be on Santa’s and on your Nice List!
After all, they “work” tirelessly all year round to make our life brighter by bringing us boundless joy, love, and loyalty.
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This Christmas, let’s show our pooch how much we love and appreciate them with some meaningful little surprises – all without breaking the bank!
Regardless if they were naughty or nice this year, these 10 dog Christmas gifts under $10 will have their tails wagging in Christmas cheer!
10 Dog Christmas Gifts Under $10
There is a certain type of joy in getting small but thoughtful gifts, and we believe that dogs feel the same way. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money on gifts just to make your pooch happy this holiday season.
So, whether it’s a toy that’ll keep them occupied, or clothing items that will get them in the holiday spirit, our list of dog Christmas gifts under $10 will definitely have your furry friend excited!
Lamb Chop, aka the hottest dog toy in town! If you haven’t bought your dog a Lamb Chop toy by now, WHY?!
This sock puppet is currently the country’s most popular dog toy, and all the dog parents who bought their pooches this toy only have one thing to say: they’re OBSESSED!
Get your pooch in the holiday spirit and let them help you spread holiday cheer with these Christmas-themed dog bandanas!
These Realeaf Christmas dog bandanas are perfect. They are holiday-themed, fashionable, and are under $10! If you’re taking Christmas family portraits with your pooch this year, they can wear this to match the holiday theme.
Furthermore, they add an extra layer of warmth for your pooch during winter and come in three sizes: small, large, and extra large.
Lick mats kill two birds with one stone: they’re a great enrichment activity that helps ease anxiety and boredom and are also great feeding tools for fast eaters!
This LUKITO Lick Mat comes in four different textured surface designs perfect for spreadable treats such as yogurt, peanut butter, etc. It is made from premium food grade silicone material so it’s very durable and safe for your pooch.
Speaking of spreadable treats, here’s one to pair with the LUKITO Lick Mat – the Pooch Creamery Ice Cream Mix for Dogs.
While we’re sure that your pooch loves his/her dental chews and dry dog treats, this holiday season, let them indulge in something a little bit different!
Pooch Creamery’s ice cream comes in four different flavors for you to choose from: Birthday Cake, Peanut Butter, Maple Bacon, and Vanilla.
Christmas time might be the perfect time to buy your pooch their newest dog collar, don’t you think?
QQPETS Adjustable Soft Collar comes in over 30 designs and four sizes – all of which are under $10!
So, no matter your dog’s size or gender, there’s a design and size that will perfectly fit them. If you’re looking for a stylish and durable dog collar this Christmas, you might want to check this out.
We believe that every dog out there loves a game of fetch. So, it’s only proper that a dog stick for fetching makes it to our list of dog Christmas gifts!
The Chuckit! brand has been known for their outdoor interactive dog toys, and they’re a leading brand in the game of fetch.
So you know that the Chuckit! Ultra Fetch Dog Stick is the perfect dog stick for fetch fanatics. It is 12 inches long and suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages. It’s also made of durable yet gentle materials perfect for a safe game of outdoor fetch!
Challenge your pooch and keep them on their toes with the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Treat Puzzle!
This dog treat puzzle can be played in multiple ways, as long as you have treats! Like the LUKITO Lick Mat, this helps provide mental stimulation, reduce anxiety and boredom, and is a fun way to give your dog their daily treats and/or kibble.
Furthermore, if you have a food-motivated dog, then this might just be one of the most perfect dog Christmas gifts for them!
Looking for functional, fun, and budget-friendly dog Christmas gifts? Now you might want to check out these personalized dog tags that come in different styles!
These personalized dog tags come in 11 different styles and in regular and small sizes. They are made of solid stainless steel and have color plating in gold, rose gold, blue, black, and nebula.
Additionally, the engraving can be done on both side with up to five lines of personalized text – enough for your pooch’s name and other important information.
There are 20 fonts and 11 designs to choose from to make sure that the dog tag is as special as the holiday season and your dog!
Winter can be harsh on your dog’s paw, especially when going out on walks. So, we made sure to put something that is more functional than fun on our dog Christmas gifts list. Your dog might not “love” it, but they’ll surely thank you for it!
The Natural Dog Company Paw Soother Balm for Dogs is amazing for a lot of things, and not only during winter, but also during summer!
This paw balm keeps your pooch’s paws healthy, provides moisture for dry and cracked paws in the hot and dry summer season, and provides protection and healing relief during winter.
This is perfect for pooches who are not used to or do not want to wear dog boots during winter walks. So, if your pooch isn’t fond of booties, then this is a must!
Tips For Choosing the Perfect Budget-Friendly Gift
Choosing budget-friendly dog Christmas gifts does not mean the gift isn’t high-quality, safe, or fun.
So, here are tips to ensure that your pooch’s gift is everything you need it to be – thoughtful, budget-friendly, and as wonderful as the holiday season.
Consider your dog’s size, breed, and personality. Buying dog Christmas gifts is much like buying gifts for the hoomans – you have to consider a lot of things. In the case of our four-legged friends, you have to take into consideration their size, breed, and their personality. Are they very playful? Aggressive chewers? Or do they prefer to lounge around?
Always prioritize safety. When choosing a gift for your pooch, ensure that the item is made from non-toxic yet durable materials to avoid any health hazard.
Look for functional AND fun. Be practical! Look for gifts that are fun but serve a purpose. For example, mentally stimulating dog toys or dog tags – think of something they can use or enjoy for a long time.
Make sure there is a festive touch to it. Well, it IS Christmas! So choosing gifts that help your dog get into the holiday spirit is a must!
Conclusion
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There truly is no feeling in this world like the joy of gift-giving and unwrapping gifts during the holiday season – and we believe your dog absolutely feels the same type of joy!
However, believe that finding the perfect Christmas gift for your four-legged friend doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Budget-friendly gifts can bring as much happiness and delight to your furry friend – because it’s the thought, love, and care put into the gift that matters.
And we’re sure that there is something in our dog Christmas gifts list that will have your dog’s tail wagging in excitement!
We wish you and your pooches a Merry Christmas and a Happy Paw-lidays filled with nothing but love, gifts, festive fun, wagging tails, plenty of food, and obviously, a lot of belly rubs!
Two mischievous dogs who fell into the ice at Utah Park in Aurora, Colorado are lucky to be alive after being rescued by the Aurora Fire Rescue.
KDVR reports that the incident happened on Wednesday, December 11 when a bystander called 911 to report two small dogs who had fallen into the ice.
The ice that the dogs fell through was around 10-15 feet from the shore, KDVR also reveals.
Thankfully, Aurora Fire Rescue units are equipped and trained to perform ice rescues for anyone, whether it be humans or animals, that fall into the water or through the ice since the beginning of the year.
“AFR’s Engine 4 was first on-scene to perform the ice rescue, assisted by AFR’s Technical Rescue Team and multiple other AFR responders,” the Aurora Fire Rescue wrote in an Instagram post.
CBS News states that the dogs were able to pull themselves out of the water before the rescuers could reach them.
One dog even managed to ran away, and hasn’t been located by crews to help him. However, the second dog was able to receive care and the crews were able to restore its core body temperature.
After receiving necessary care, the second dog was turned over to Animal Control to help locate its owner and hopefully reunite them together.
“The city of Aurora has several bodies of water,” Aurora Fire Rescue said in a release. “These water areas can present safety hazards in cold weather if people or animals play in or around the ice.”
Furthermore, Aurora Fire Rescue reminded everyone to be cautious near water or ice. They wrote, “As temperatures begin to dip and Winter approaches, today’s incident serves as a reminder to use caution near ice and bodies of water this time of year.”
Along with this reminder were helpful Ice Safety Tips that the Fire Department shared.
One of the ice safety tips for pets read, “Never allow your pet to run out onto the ice and do not walk your pet near a frozen lake or pond without a leash. If your dog falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call for help.”
