There is nothing like the love of a pet, especially one that grows up with you. For siblings Jennifer, Kevin, and Diana, their childhood memories are shaped by their love for their dog Kasey. Kasey and how she came to join the children's family is shown in the true-life story by author Diana Gorman, Four Paws from Santa Clause. Jennifer, Kevin, and Diana went to visit a pet store one fall afternoon and fell in love with a puppy they saw in the store. They begged their mom to get the puppy for them but their mom was hesitant because a dog comes with lots of grow-up responsibilities. She suggests they write to Santa and ask for the puppy under the tree, which the siblings did. Come Christmas morning, what do their eyes see but a six-week-old beagle puppy. They were so excited about the arrival of the puppy, who they named Kasey, but they quickly learned that Mom was right about her care. However, this puppy would touch their hearts forever. Based on her family's own experience with their beagle Kasey arriving as a Christmas gift to Diana and her siblings in 2001, Diana wrote the story as a reminder of the treasure that pets are and as comfort to her niece and nephew after the passing of Kasey in 2018. Dogs do come with a lot of responsibility for any age of owner, but the love, comfort, and protection they give in return is worth the time and attention given to them.
