In the UK there are many dogs abandoned at this time of year. As a family we help a Springer Spaniel rescue by fundraising and fostering dogs (Google NESSR).
Due to various health issues we have not been able foster any dogs recently.
I know get to the point Michael.
When we heard there were two Spaniels in a pound who were going to be put to put to sleep in the week before Christmas the Lady who runs the rescue dispatched her husband on a 300 mile round trip to save them.
One of the dogs went to Scotland and the other came to us as there is a possibility that she may be "in pup" or has very recently had a litter she has had a scan which was inconclusive so she will go back after the holidays. The vet did say she has had a lot of pups she has possibly had a litter for sale at Christmas and then been abandoned.
DSC_1806[1] by
my0771, on Flickr
She had no name so that was our next task we decided on Holly which we felt appropriate so did the other fosterers as both dogs are now called Holly they are hundreds of miles apart so it will not matter.