In a quaint Southern town nestled along the Edisto River, lived a bright-eyed, slender girl named Renee. Her days were filled with joy and compassion, always finding light in the simplest of things.
Renee's favorite pastime was her daily walks to the riverbank, where she collected unique rocks and seashells. On her way, she would pass by a house where a large, gentle dog named Sady lived. Sady, a black and tan Rottweiler, was always excited to see Renee, despite being confined to a small kennel.
Renee and Sady shared a special bond. Renee would squeeze her tiny hands through the rusty wire mesh to pet Sady, who would respond with loving eyes and gentle nudges. Renee often brought leftovers for Sady, knowing that the dog didn't get much to eat. She would also fetch fresh water from the river to fill Sady's bowl.
As autumn leaves began to fall, Renee noticed that Sady was becoming thinner and weaker. School commitments limited her visits, but she couldn't stop worrying about her furry friend. One day, she asked her father if they could adopt Sady. Her father, concerned about the financial burden, declined.
Despite her father's refusal, Renee continued to visit Sady. One day, she found Sady lying in the corner of her pen, looking very weak. Sady's condition worsened, and Renee's visits became less frequent due to schoolwork.
On Christmas Day, Renee and her father were building a snowman when she suddenly remembered Sady. She asked her father if she could visit the dog, and he agreed, suggesting she take some old bologna from the fridge. As she approached Sady's pen, she noticed some men standing around, discussing the dog's fate.
Renee hid behind some bushes, listening to the men talk about getting rid of Sady. When they left, she cautiously approached the pen and found a wooden crate filled with tiny puppies. Sady was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the man who owned Sady appeared and chased Renee away. In her haste, she slipped and fell into the icy river.
Struggling to stay afloat, Renee's cries for help were unheard until Sady, hiding nearby, sprang into action. The dog jumped into the river and pulled Renee to safety. Renee's father arrived just in time to see Sady saving his daughter. He realized the dog's worth and decided to adopt Sady and her puppies.
Renee, her father, and Sady returned home with the puppies. They warmed up by the fire, and Renee hugged Sady, grateful for the best Christmas gift ever. This experience inspired Renee to dedicate her life to helping animals in need.
The moral of this story is that Christmas is not about material gifts but about love, compassion, and selflessness. It's a time to show brotherly love and set an example for others. Merry Christmas!
For more heartwarming stories, visit Holistic Junction.
© 2004 The Christmas Gift by C. Bailey-Lloyd aka. LadyCamelot and special input from my daughter, Just Marie. All work by the author is copyright protected. If you would like to use this article, please contact the author for permission.
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