Maggie and Max (5 page)

Holidays are so much fun — but they can be dangerous for pets! With all the excitement going on, it’s especially important to take good care of your dog.

There are lots of unfamiliar things to play with and eat at holiday times. Your pet can get an upset stomach if she eats holiday table scraps that are too rich. Some holiday plants, like poinsettias and holly, can make dogs very sick if they eat a leaf or a berry. You might think chocolate would make a nice special treat, but it is poisonous for dogs, too. Tinsel, wrapping paper, ribbons: none of these make healthy treats for a curious pup, so keep them tidied away when your dog is on the loose.

Dogs aren’t happy when their routines change, so try to walk and feed your pet at th same time each day. And don’t forget to hug your dog and give her lots of attention, even when you’re busy!

Dear Reader
,

In my family, the pets always get Christmas gifts along with the people. I usually give my brother’s cats a fun new toy, and my brother and his family give my dog some yummy treats.

It’s fun to pick out a present for your pet — but don’t leave it under the tree, or your pet might open it before he’s supposed to!

Happy Holidays to all my animal friends!

Yours from the Puppy Place,

Ellen Miles

Ellen Miles is crazy about dogs, and loves to write about their different personalities. She is the author of more than 28 books, including The Puppy Place and Taylor-Made Tales series as well as
The Pied Piper
and other Scholastic Classics. Ellen loves to be outdoors every day, walking, biking, skiing, or swimming, depending on the season. She also loves to read, cook, explore her beautiful state, and hang out with friends and family. She lives in Vermont.

If you love animals, be sure to read all the adorable stories in The Puppy Place series!

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permisson, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.

Copyright © 2007 by Ellen Miles.
Cover art by Tim O’Brien
Cover design by Steve Scott

All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC, LITTLE APPLE, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

First printing, November 2007

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e-ISBN: 978-0-545-32435-9