Christmas is coming, and Marshall, a black and yellow king snake who
likes big words and live rats, and Irving, a 12-year-old part German
shorthaired pointer, are still accidental residents at Critters, an
animal shelter in the Hamptons. Even word of Placido's umpteenth
adoption doesn't cheer them up. The large, one-eyed Siamese usually
"goes out" for only twenty-four hours before his new owners decide he
should "come back." Still, this time might be different. Sam Twilight
and his daughter, Jimmie, are former circus performers and just might be
clever enough to deal with a cat who has very bad habits.
As the holidays arrive, all sorts of surprises are in store for the
creatures at Critters. Catherine, an aging greyhound rescued from the
racetrack, is invited to Ginny Tintree's home for Christmas weekend.
Goldie, a.k.a. Rex, a recently arrived yellow Lab sought by the evil
dog-catcher with red gloves, escapes and is on the run again. And a
heartsick Maine coon cat named Rags Randall is compelled to compose his
first poem about a dog: "Rex, this is Rags, can you hear me? / I miss
not having you near me. / Run fast, Rex, run hard. / Till you come to
our yard! / Rex, this is Rags, can you hear me?"
With her own special brand of humor and compassion, the inimitable M. E.
Kerr explores a small corner of the world where the lives of humans and
animals intertwine daily, often bringing new hope to all.
