A dog is for life, and not just for Christmas, yet so many of them find themselves in rescue at this time of year hoping to find a family to spend December 25 - and the other 364 days of the year with.
And one Welsh rescue centre has got more than 100 dogs available for adoption, all coming from different backgrounds, from ex-breeding dogs to Romanian rescues.
And some of the dogs saved by Many Tears Animal Rescue, in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, in recent weeks have even been given festive names, including Tinsel, Berry and Sage.
Some pups - who were quickly reserved for adoption - were even called Mince Pie, Mistletoe and Carol.
But here are eight gorgeous dogs with Christmas themed names who are still hoping they might be able to find a home before December 25.
Tinsel
This four-month-old Jack Russell cross shih tzu is described as a ‘reserved and worried’ girl when she first meets people.
Founder Sylvia Van Atta said: “She is much happier when with her kennel friends and plays with them when she thinks no-one’s watching.”
The puppy is looking for a quiet, adult-only home where she can find her feet, and would like to live with another resident dog to help her learn new skills and gain confidence.
The rescue added: “Tinsel will need owners with plenty of patience and understanding as, for a dog like her, the garden can be as frightening as the inside of a home.
“She needs someone who can see all her potential and guide her gently to help her reach it.”
Sage
Three-year-old bichon frise, Sage, is currently being fostered in Devon while she awaits her forever home.
The white fluffy dog came into rescue from a breeder, and is ‘the most scared one’ of her kennel’.
Sylvia said: “She doesn’t understand that human hands can be kind so needs a quiet and calm, adult-only home with someone who really understands her fears.”
Sage is searching for a home with another, more confident resident dog (and wouldn’t it just be perfect if their name was onion?)
A second dog would be able to show Sage that life isn’t all that scary, as well as help her learn about house training and lead walking.
Sylvia added: “She will need a lot of TLC as she learns to adjust to her new life. In time she will slowly embrace her new life filled with love and kindness.”
Raisen
Also from a breeder, Raisen is a Maltese cross bichon frise who loves to be around her kennelmates.
The two-year-old dog is described as a ‘sweet girl’ who is shy on her own, so, like Sage and Tinsel, would like to live with another dog.
The rescue said: “She would need at least one other dog in her new home who can be her best friend and teach her all about her wonderful new life.
“She has never lived in a home and is a very cute little darline, who with time, love and care will be the most wonderful girl.”
Rudolphia
Beautiful beagle, Rudolphia, is a ‘scared girl’ who gets very worried and overwhelmed, hiding at the back of her kennel after coming from a breeder.
Sylvia said: “She lets us handle her easily and seems to have a very gentle nature.”
On why ex-breeding dogs like Rudolphia do better in homes with a resident dog, she explained: “They have usually never lived in a house before and are only used to canine company.
"They usually get their confidence and learn faster with another dog to copy from. This also helps with house training and learning how to walk on a lead.
“They will make lovely pets but do need a lot of love, time and patience.”
Berry
Six-year-old Berry is a nervous ex-breeding hound cross who, at first, wouldn’t go anywhere near the volunteers taking care of her at the rescue.
But in a recent update, they said: “Berry is such a gentle, quiet and affectionate girl that would make a lovely addition to any home.
“She’s grown in confidence since being at the rescue so she’ll come up for a stroke and a fuss now instead of shying away. She really does just want someone she can snuggle with.”
Berry walks well on a lead, and would like another dog to help her learn about the world, too.
The centre added: “Berry is a sweetheart and shouldn’t have to wait any longer for her happy ever after.”
Halo
Halo, a cocker spaniel, is looking for owners who have experience with scared dogs, as the four-year-old pooch is quite nervous.
She also has sore eyes which are believed to be a condition called entropion, which the vet is to take a look at when she is spayed.
The rescue centre said: “She has never been inside a home before so this is going to be overwhelming for her at first, and she will need time to adjust and settle.
“Halo will need an adult-only home with owners who really understand that they need to gain her trust and then slowly she will start to move forward.”
Quiz
It’s not Christmas without a festive quiz, and this seven-year-old bichon frise is hoping she’ll be the winner.
Quiz is said to be ‘growing in confidence every day’ after just a week of living in a foster home, but is still a ‘shy and nervous’ dog with a sweet side waiting to come out.
Her foster carer said: “She is quiet, not destructive or barky and sleeps quietly all night. House training is going well as she copies our resident bichon, who she gets her confidence from.
“We have not started lead training yet but she loves exploring the garden in the day and sleeping on my lap in the evening.”
Quiz arrived in rescue quite matted and needed her coat shaved off to relieve her discomfort, but this will grow back in time.
Glitter
Currently in foster care, Glitter is a four-year-old cross breed rescued from Romania.
While she is nervous if approached, volunteers have found sitting on the floor of her kennel, she will come over for a sniff.
They added: “She doesn’t walk on a lead and will need house training - and she will learn these best in a home that has at least one other dog she can watch and start to copy.”
Glitter needs a patient, adult-only home to help her feel ‘finally safe and loved’.
The rescue added: “Glitter is missing a toe on her back paw and although she can appear to limp, she runs, plays and jumps normally.”
