Remember Ben: How a Secret Santa Should be Done

In all honesty a Secret Santa is a bit of a pain in the arse. You are more or less guaranteed to get stuff that is bordering on useless, you know the sort of thing, body/bath/shower gel or socks/hat/gloves etc.

Sometimes it would just be easier if you turned round and said ‘why don’t you just give me the money instead?’ Then at least, well you could get yourself something you wanted or maybe you could put it to better use by paying your bills.

In an idea designed to be fun and make sure that everyone is included in holiday celebrations it often falls flat on its face and sadly reveals what our work colleagues actually think about us. Therefore you can end up not feeling included, not feeling in a very fun mood and having lost the spirit of Christmas or lost touch with the Winter Solstice.

Prepare to have your ice cold Narnian Witch’s heart melt by these tales of generosity and kindness. In some areas in the USA people are having their layaway plans for Christmas toys paid off by a Secret Santa. For example CNN reported that in Detroit one ‘Santa’ donated $2000 to pay of debts of 14 people.

Kmart has a layaway plan that runs all year round, not just at the holiday season so people who aren’t flush with money can save up for larger items which will be held at the shop until the bill is paid off.

Chicago Sun-Times reports that Santa’s little Elves have been visiting Naperville Kmart where 12 layaway balances were paid off just yesterday. This has even encouraged some of the staff to go and pay off a layaway too.

Think that is all I have to say about Secret Santas then?

Well no it isn’t, get the tissues at the ready for this next instance of Christmas goodwill.

In Indiana, Edna Deppe the assistant manager of Kmart told the story of a lady who paid the layaway bill of the worn out looking man standing in front of her with 3 kids and a bill.

He stood and looked at her then the assistant manager, Edna says, “He asked if it was a joke. I told him it wasn't, and that she was going to pay for him. And he just busted out in tears."

The woman in her mid 40s wasn’t by any shape or form finished, she continued on her spending spree and paid off even more layaway plans, as many as 50. Then, as a parting gift she paid for 2 trolley loads of toys for a woman at the till. The lady did not say who she was, only that her husband had just died and she wasn’t going to be able to spend the money, so it was only right that it brought happiness to others.

'Remember Ben’ is all she said.

Ok, I know I could be cynical and suggest that it is a Kmart publicity stunt but at the end of the day, does it really matter, because at least there are people somewhere who care enough to make a difference to the lives of other people.

A Christmas Wish: Boycie Wants a Home

It will soon be Christmas and although we are probably all very familiar with Dickens’s story ‘A Christmas Carol’ or any of its variants, in this economy it is very easy to think more about yourself than others that are perhaps less well off.

But isn’t that what Christmas is about? The time of year where your really should think of others, give up on your own ignorance and greed to help those in need. You see sometimes the cruelty of humans amazes me; I just fail to see what they get out of it.

Bearing all this in mind, when I came across the story of Boycie I felt the need to do what I can to help him out.

Like or hate dogs, you can’t condone cruelty towards them or any animal. So whether you consider our canine friends to be smelly, messy or taking up too much time I would loath to think that you would actually do them harm?

This brings me back to the story of Boycie.

You see I watch a lot of Criminal Minds on television and one theme that appears to run through it is how your past affects your future.


But its strange because that doesn’t always happen with dogs, take Michael Vick’s Pit Bulls from Bad Newz Kennels for example, out of the 70 dogs that were found at his kennels 48 dogs survived and have been re-homed after being used in dog fights, as bait dogs for dog fighting, neglected or abused.

These dogs, like Boycie aren’t the bad guys here; they are the victims who are willing to trust us humans again. They want to be loved, cuddled and wait patiently at the front door for you to come back home again complete with a wagging tail and smiley face for you.

Boycie’s rubbish beginning wasn’t his fault; he didn’t ask to be abused, neglected and live in a crack den. Would you fancy that idea? Or would every day you cower in the corner wishing to be invisible and hope that this life wasn’t as good as it gets?

Luckily Boycie was rescued from that situation and given medical treatment, love, care and attention and thanks to these people he is no longer afraid, skinny or malnourished. Boycie is a survivor.

Boycie is still very young and at about 2yr old still has many years of life left in him. You wouldn’t need to take Boycie with you every where you go, though you could if you wanted, because he is perfectly happy being left alone for a few hours.

Like many rescue dogs, Boycie desperately wants to make you happy, whether it is being all cuddly or running about daft, chasing a ball in a field. Boycie is really clever too; after all, he managed to survive a horrible situation so any type of training will be a breeze.


To me, Boycie sounds perfect, good fun, willing to learn, likes a cuddle, doesn’t mind other dogs (unless they are really scary) and really appreciates the fact that he has come out of hell alive and well.

If you are thinking about doing the right thing, Boycie is in the Home Counties, but don’t let that put you off him if you are at the other end of the country. How far would you go for the love of you life? Many say to hell and back, Boycie has been there and can make sure that you don’t have to.


This blog is about giving, giving Boycie a chance at life, in my mind he has already proved he is a winner. Perhaps Boycie could bring out the winner in you too? Do something powerful, make a statement to the world that you have done something positive in 2011. You are someone’s hero.

If you want to chat about Boycie, ask some questions, meet him, take him for a walk or give him a cuddle and chew stick Email Boycie_needs_a_home@hotmail.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/BoycieNeedsahome want to see how Michael Vicks dogs survived? http://badrapor.www65.a2hosting.com/home

There is one point to remember though; yeah it’s the season of goodwill and thinking about others and their welfare so that goes two ways. Don’t think that if you take Boycie or any other rescue dog home you are on your own, every decent rescue organisation will give you a follow up call to make sure that all is well and answer any questions you may have. They will also give you any help or advice you need at any point…..