Welcome to Episode 11 of Read Along Radio—the last podcast of 2025.

“Read Along Radio” will not be podcasting the week of Christmas or New Year’s.

Have a Merry Christmas:

For those of you who are thinking about rescuing a dog (or any other animal) from your local shelter to give as a gift, make sure to include the person(s) you are gifting in the decision. “Live surprises” are often not a good idea. If after careful consideration of all the ramifications (where it is going to stay, who is going to feed and water, clean up after, train, etc.), everyone is in agreement on rescuing one, pick it out together. I know. All this cautionary advice from a dog rescue advocate, but there are too many awful stories about dog rescues as gifts that are just too sad to relate at this festive time.

Here are some other ideas to help dog rescue, instead.

• Donate money to a shelter in someone’s name instead of buying them a gift.
• When hosting a party, ask for gently used dog beds, kennels, dishes, toys, etc. in lieu of gifts for you to donate to your local shelter (check with the shelter first to see what they need).
• Give some of your time to volunteer at your local shelter with the person.
• AND, of course, purchase some Robin Kould and Mary Yen Rescue books by T Heights where the profits from the sale will go to dog rescue. See THeightsBooks.com

And a Happy New Year:

• Put "Walk A Dog" at your local shelter on your New Year’s Resolution List. It’s an enjoyable way to exercise, and will benefit the dog and shelter as well.
• Help at (or hold your own) fundraiser event to benefit animal rescue.
• Collect gently used dog beds, kennels, dishes, toys, etc. in lieu of gifts to donate to your local shelter (check with the shelter first to see what they need).

AND, of course, purchase some Robin Kould and Mary Yen Rescue books by T Heights where the profits from the sale go to dog rescue.

“Read Along Radio” will start podcasting again next year in January with the narration of POPPY.

In the meantime, T Heights will be at the “Meet the Author” event hosted by Dragon Tale Books from 11 am until 2 pm on December 20th in Menomonie Wisconsin.

Dragon Tales Books is a small, independent bookstore owned and run by Ann Vogel. She is generously contributing a share of her profits from the Robin Kould and Mary Yen Rescue book sales to go along with all of the T Heights profits to the Wisconsin Bound Dog Rescue group.

The Wisconsin Bound Dog Rescue (WBDR) rescues dogs from abusive and potentially deadly environments and finds good forever homes for them in Wisconsin. They have hundreds of rescue stories, and they shared these two with me.

If you want to read along or read ahead, go to www.THeightsBooks.com and click on Books, or go to Barnes & Noble and search for BOMBO by T Heights.