Sitting back, Max watched as his puppies joined the other kids around the Christmas tree. Putting on a Santa hat, Snowball went around handing out the gifts to everyone. Feeling someone lean against his shoulder, Max smiled as he glanced down to find Gidget. Lifting his gaze, the Jack Russell terrier looked around at everyone else. Most were watching the children with big smiles on their faces. Others were opening gifts themselves or chatting away. Overall, they were all happy and safe. Most importantly, they were together. That's what mattered. And they would be together no matter what happened, for they weren't just together. They were a family, one big happy family.

With that thought repeating itself in his mind, Max closed his eyes and relished the cheerful atmosphere inside the apartment...