The Christmas Shepherd

• Santas
• Bake Christmas Cookies
• Hot Chocolate
• Drink from Empty Coffee Cups
• Ice Skating
• Go to Christmas Tree Lot
• Snows
• Decorate Christmas Tree
• No Exes Involved

Director

• Terry Ingram

Producers

• Gerald W. Abrams
• Harvey Kahn
• Dawn Knight
• Allen Lewis
• Michael Shepard
• Michael J. Waldron
• Marnie Young

Cast

• Martin Cummins
• Glynis Davies
• Sidney Grigg
• Maxine Guess
• Trevor Lerner
• Jordyn Ashley Olson
• Tim Perez
• Teri Polo
• Jill Teed
• Jody Thompson
• June B. Wilde

SALLY'S SISTER"So you sold the publisher the concept? Yeah. Yeah, it's going to be about a dog named Buddy born on Christmas Day. I've got some of the illustrations done. I don't have the whole story but buddy's going to help me with that. "I am so proud of you, Sally. Dylan would be over the moon!" Yeah.

MARKHey! What happened to the photo club? "I decided not to join. They only shoot digital." It's tough being the new kid huh? "You know, they made fun of my ancient camera." Old school is good. Your old man is old school. "You're not that old Dad!"

MARKCome on inside I'll make you something. "Dad we've been open a month. I don't get it, where is everybody?" Well, they are currently down the road at the new drive-through Starbucks. Don't worry, we'll turn it around. Can I get you anything? "Uh, sure. Banana and blueberry?" All right you got it. "Dad! No! Not the smoothie dance! Someone might see you! "What's that? You can't feel the music huh? "I know you do this just to embarrass me." I live to embarrass you. "Dad!"

MARKSay, that Christmas tree lot, it just opened up over on Mulberry. What do you say we go over there and pick one up? "Do you think it's a bit early?" I just thought it might be fun you know? Just like old times." It'll never be like old times Dad." Well, we'll just have to make do, all right?

MARGE"I was going to call you last night because I heard the Cullen house is up for sale." Oh yeah, I love that old place. "Mm-hmm, and it's so close to town." Margie listen, I have spent so much of my life living on bases. When we bought that home, it was to put down roots. It's my little acre of heaven. "Think about your social life." My what? My what? What is that? What's my social life? What social life is that? I have my art studio, my garden, my work, my solitude, I've got buddy, and that's all. I'm happy. Life is good. But thank you so much for worrying about me. It's very sweet.

MARGE"That's crazy. It should be snowing this time of year." Buddy does not like this kind of weather!

CAR RADIO:The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Wharton Creek and the surrounding communities. Lightning, high winds, rain, and hail have been reported. Road visibility is diminished as wind and lashing rain have been reported.

SALLYHi Sis! Something has happened to Buddy and I need your help. Can you help me find him please?

SALLYNo, he wasn't micro chipped. I mean, he has a collar on that's got his name on it. It's just, everybody here knows him. I just never thought that this would happen. "I'd advise you to keep making the rounds. Most of the shelters around here aren't set up to board animals more than a week." Okay. Uh, thank you.

SALLYWe visited every shelter within 20 miles from here, but it's just, just nothing, so we decided to expand the search to 40 miles, you know? "Anything on the Missing Petfinder?" No, I just, I go online every day, but, um, there's nothing. I don't know, Jack. He's just, he's been gone for a week. "I wish I was there to help you Mom." I know you do, baby, I know. Just, uh, just say a prayer OK? "Yeah, I will."

ANIMAL SHELTERHow many can you take Greta? MARK'S SISTER GRETA DOG ADOPTION COMPANY: Finding forever homes for 10 is the magic number. I'll take this poodle as well.

MARKHey fella, what's your name? Oh buddy. Good name. We had a shepherd when we were growing up. Stella, she was a great dog. Oh yeah, look at you. ANIMAL SHELTER LADY: "Hey, he likes military guys." Huh buddy huh? I was in the reserves. Hey, can I take him out? "Sure." Get to know his personality. Somebody wants to play! Oh, you see I have it don't you? Do you want to play, don't you? Yes, you do. Yeah? You want to play some fetch? Yeah? Let's see what you got. Here you go. MARK'S SISTER: "Why don't you adopt him?" I'd love to, but I just don't think that Emma's up for that yet. Someone's going to right? MARK'S SISTER: "Oh no, I told you, we have no room at the inn.

MARK'S DAUGHTER EMMA"Mom would have asked me first. Just because I'm 13, my opinion doesn't count?" Look, I'm sorry, hon all right? But I had to make a decision on the spot, and that's what I did. "Dad, he's sick." No, he's fine. His paws got a little bit beat up when he ran away. Your Aunt said that she'll find him a permanent situation, but he'll be with us for a couple of weeks tops. "I'm sure he's a wonderful dog, but he deserves a real family, and I'm not sure that's us anymore." Em, come on.

EMMAI know what you're doing. Don't make me fall in love with you. You're just passing through. Are you any good with geometry?

MARKHey! Hey, thanks buddy! Good boy. What a good boy you are huh? What a good boy. You brought the newspaper for me! That a boy.

MARKHey. "Getting him ready for his new home?" That's the plan. I don't really think he needs this gauze anymore. "I was just getting used to having him around." Yeah, it's been great. Hasn't it? "Can I help?" Yeah, go ahead. He's lucky to have you taking care of him. "This reminds me of when we brought Mom home from the hospital. Remember? We had to put the bed in the living room because she couldn't walk up the stairs anymore." Yeah, she was happy to be home. "I don't want him to go Dad. Just look at him. He's so happy here. Can't we be his forever family?" That's a big responsibility. "Buddy fits in like he's already a part of our home." Are you sure Em? "Can we still call him buddy?" Absolutely. "Do you hear that buddy!"

SALLYI'll be honest with you, Graham, I'm finding it nearly impossible to work. Just, all I can think of is, where is he, and is he safe? Um, I know that you want the book by Christmas, but I just, I just don't know, with Buddy gone, if I can um, can I give you a call back? I'm really sorry, Graham.

SALLYI just, I don't understand how he got all the way to Monroe? I mean, that's two hours from here. I didn't check the shelters that far. "When I found him, I was driving West. Monroe was the first shelter that I came across." Oh, yeah, that makes sense. Was he OK? Was he hurt or anything? "Considering he was totally lost, he was doing pretty good." Well, I just I can't thank you enough... and you deliver Christmas trees too! That's, that would only happen to buddy! "He sure seems like an amazing dog Mrs. Brown.

SALLYOK, um, the trucker said that it was sometime around Thanksgiving. Is there anyway you could check around that date? "Oh, wait a minute, here we go. We had a shepherd named Buddy, probably about five years old?" Yeah, that could absolutely be him. He's not here anymore? Where would he be? "Boston." In Boston?

MARK'S SISTER GRETA"Noah's Ark Pet Rescue, this is Greta." Hi, um, my name is Sally Brown, and I'm calling about my German Shepherd. His name is Buddy, and I was wondering if he was still at your kennel. "Buddy, yeah." Yes, he wears a white collar and it's got Holly "Yeah, with his name painted on the side? Ms. Brown, are you still there?" Yeah, I'm sorry. Um, is he OK? "He's, he is safe and sound." Good. Oh my gosh, how did he get all the way to Boston? "I rescue pets from shelters all over the East Coast and bring them back here and find homes for them." Oh. "Ms. Brown, Buddy has been adopted out to a forever family." But he's, he's my dog. He's been my dog for five years. "Yeah, I understand. I know how difficult this must be for you, but" No, you, I'm his owner. "I don't get calls like this very often, so I'm going to need to see his registration papers." I don't have registration papers for him. My husband found him overseas and brought him back home. I can give you those papers. I'll do anything it takes, I just would like to bring my dog home." Okay, I'm going to need to get in touch with the family, and I need to warn you, this may not be as easy as you think. I'll get back to you as soon as I've talked to the family. Bye."

MARK'S SISTER GRETA"Where's Emma?" I sent her out to walk Buddy. So what's the word? "Her papers check out. In all the years I have rescued dogs, I have never had this happen." Well, what am I going to say to Emma? I mean, she's been through enough for somebody twice her age. This is going to break her heart. "I know. This woman would like to meet with you. How do you want to handle it?"

EMAIL:Dear Greene family,
I'm writing to you about the most amazing dog, but then you probably know that by now. We had a huge thunderstorm here last month and it damaged our fence. When Buddy got out and ran away, I was devastated. He's been my companion, my muse, and my best friend ever since my husband died two years ago. He was originally Dylan's dog, and they were inseparable. My husband survived three deployments overseas without so much as a scratch, only to come home and have a heart attack while he was out jogging. For my son and me, Buddy is our last connection to him. Please find it in your heart to let him come home for Christmas. Sincerely, Sally Brown.

SALLYHello? "Hello, my name is Mark Greene, I'm calling about Buddy." Hi, um, how is he? Is he OK? "Oh yeah, he's doing just fine." Good, good, thank you so much for getting back to me. I wasn't, wasn't sure that you would, Mr. Greene so thank you so much. I, I've just, I've been really worried about him, and thank God you and your family took him in. Um, this may seem a little odd, but I want to make sure that this is my dog, my Buddy. "Well, didn't Greta confirm with you?" Yes, I know, I just want to be certain, if that makes any sense. "Well, uh, I could try and get a picture to you. My daughter's taken quite a few." Okay, I would appreciate that very much. "Sure." Would it be too much to ask if I could come and see him? I just live an hour away in Warm Springs, and I could drive down in a moment's notice, if that would be okay? "Um, you know, I'm just, I'm just not sure about that." I don't mean to intrude, but... "You know what, I'm just going to be candid with you here. My daughter's been through a lot. Over the last little while. She lost her mother two years ago, and I am, well, I feel hesitant to make any decisions without talking to her about it. I'm trying to take care of my girl." Ok, thank you very much. I appreciate it. Good night.

MARKEm, there's something we gotta talk about. Your Aunt came by yesterday with some news. Buddy's owner has surfaced. "What do you mean? We're his owners." There's a woman in Warm Springs... "Nobody's taking Buddy away from me." I think you should read this. "He's our dog." I know, and I've been wrestling with this all night, but we have to do the right thing. "There is no right thing Dad no matter what we do, somebody's going to get hurt. I feel sorry for this woman, I really do." Look, she's got a history with the dog, it was her husband's. We've only had him for two weeks. She just wants to come and see him. "She wants to take him, doesn't she?" Hey, Em...

MARK"Sally?" Yeah. Uh, Mark? "Yeah." Hi. "Please come in." Thank you. I was a half hour early so I've just been driving around the block in circles. "He sure likes his toys." Yeah you should see my house. It looks like a pet shop exploded. "He likes to play hockey with the pillows." Uh, so is he here? "Actually, Emma just took him for a walk. He was full of all kinds of anxious energy this morning so, it was like he knew." Oh yeah, trust me, he knew. That dog knows everything. "They'll be back in a minute."

SALLYBuddy! Come here! Hi buddy! Here, come here, Buddy. Come here. Hi, Buddy!

SALLY"He looks really healthy, like nothing's even happened. "Yeah well he wasn't eating much when he got here but he's turned into a bit of a ciao hound now. Have you had him since he was a pup?" My husband found him outside of his barracks in Beirut on Christmas morning. He had no idea where he came from or how old he was, so we just decided that Christmas Day would be his birthday. Buddy's a lucky dog, how often does an animal find two loving homes in one lifetime right? "Sometimes they don't find one. Hey, Em, you're kind of quiet. You got any questions?"

EMMA"Not really." A photographer, huh, is that what you are? "It's just a hobby for now." MARK: Her mother was a freelance photographer for Manhattan Style and Living Magazine." EMMA: "This was her camera." Do you shoot in color or black and white? "Black and white." Ohh, a purist. You shoot in color, and you get pictures of people's clothing. Black and white is more of a picture into their soul. You're lucky, not everybody has an artist's eye like that!

EMMA"Are you here to take him home?" You know what Emma, I, uh, first I just wanted to make sure that he was, he was healthy and safe, and you guys are taking good care of him, which you are. MARK: The three of us are just going to talk about it. OK? EMMA: Dad, can I be excused? MARK: Of course.

MARK"I guess the three of us are not going to talk about it." I can't even imagine what she's going through. "Sally. Honestly, I don't know how we're going to reconcile this. She's had to shoulder a lot over the last two years, and I don't really feature hurting her more." I, I hear you. I get it. It's just, uh, how about we, how about we talk in a few days? Is that doable? "Yeah." Okay.

SALLYI just wanted to say thank you. "Thank me? I didn't do anything." Well, you took in a stranger when he needed a home. Not a lot of people have a heart as big as that. So, thank you so much. Buddy come' Good boy, you go inside with Emma.

MARK"You're good with kids." I've had a bit of practice, I write children books too. "You're, uh, you're 'the' Sally Brown." Uh, yeah, I guess, you could say that. "It didn't click until just now. We have most of them inside." Oh, no kidding. "My wife used to read them. To Emma." Wow, that's great, thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. "Buddy will be okay, all right?" Yeah, I know. I know he will. It's just me. Thank you very much for letting me come by. I appreciate it. "That's fine. Take care."

SALLYThey're good people, and they are taking very good care of buddy. "That must have been awkward." Yeah, I kind of felt like an intruder in their home. "So legally they can keep him right?" Yeah. I mean, it's all up to Mark. He's a single Dad, handsome. He's kind of, he's a good man, you can tell it in his eyes. Did I mention that he was good looking? "I haven't heard you talk about someone like this for a long time. It's like you like him." Oh, please. I was just kidding. I really haven't given it any thought. I just want him to give my dog back." Do you trust him?" What, with buddy? "With everything." I just pray that he makes the right decision.

MARK'S SISTER"So what happens next?" I really don't know. There is no manual on how to deal with a mess like this. She was very sweet to Emma though. I appreciated that. She's actually a children's book author. "Oh, self published?" No, she's, uh, she's big time. You know Buddy's Mom is famous in that world. Emma couldn't believe it. "Well that's cool. What's she like?" She's very pretty. She seems like a nice woman. It would have been a heck of a lot easier if she had been awful, you know. "You're being awfully brave." About what? "You fell in love with that dog the minute you saw him, and now, this woman wants to take him away?" What are you gonna do right?

MARKEmma, it's time to get ready for bed. "I had the best dream about Mom." Yeah? I dream about her all the time. "I'm glad we have these pictures. "She lived for the holidays. She had a very generous spirit. "Remember how she used to bake cookies for everybody in the neighborhood? Even the people she didn't know." Yeah. "She'd know what to do Dad." About what? "Buddy. I've been thinking about it a lot. I have this paper due, 'My Best Christmas Ever' then a thought came, what if my best Christmas ever hasn't happened yet?" Well, what would be your best Christmas? "To have you and me and Mom together for Christmas as a family again, but I know that can't happen for us. But it can for Buddy. Buddy has a chance to go home. He needs to be with his Mom for Christmas. That would be his best Christmas ever." That's the most beautiful gift that you could give him. I couldn't be more proud of you. I know your mother would be too. All right, you, uh, you get ready for bed.

SALLYThank you so much! This means the world to me Emma. It really does. Thank you! Good boy, come here. EMMA: "It smells like a bakery in here." Oh yeah? I'm getting ready to send a shipment of some care packages over to the troops. My son is stationed in Afghanistan. MARK: "I was in the reserves. There's nothing quite like getting a care package from home. I'm sure your Son feels the same way." I pray for the day when he gets back, that way I'll have both my boys at home, right Buddy! Uh, well, can I get you guys anything? Some hot chocolate maybe does that sound good? MARK: "Can I give you a hand?" I would love that! Do me a favor Emma, and keep Buddy out of these boxes. There are cookies in there and he's got a sweet tooth. MARK: You know you needn't have gone to all this trouble." Oh, no, no, it's absolutely my pleasure. It's the least I could do I mean, I really, honestly could have picked up Buddy. "Well, truthfully, we wanted to see where Buddy lives, just to know that we've done the right thing, but I can see we did." Well, I'm glad you think that.

MARK"So what can I do?" Uh, well, you could sift the cocoa I guess? "I can do that. Ah, a molinillo!" I don't think I've ever met anyone who knows what that crazy thing is. "Well we sell a lot of hot chocolate at this time of year at the shop." Oh yeah, right. "I read somewhere that the Mayans considered the molinillo to be a magical instrument. They believed that the spirit of the drink was in the froth." Really? Good manners and well read, no wonder Buddy likes you! "Yeah he really appreciates the well read part.

SALLYUh, excuse me, I need the, excuse me, sorry. "Not at all." I haven't had a man in the kitchen helping me out in a long time. "I find that hard to believe." It's true. "No dating?" Well, seems like a very strange word, no, there, there hasn't been anybody. No, I kind of feel like that part of me is, is lost. If that makes any sense. "Yeah, I mean, uh, I've heard stories of this happening to people, but you know you never think it's going to happen to you." No, yeah, nothing in the world could've prepared me for this. But, um, what am I talking about? I'm rambling, that's what happens when you live alone for a really long time. "It's okay." Uh, we're ready for the milk. "I believe we are.

SALLYI can't thank you enough. You've given me the best Christmas present imaginable. EMMA: "Could we come and visit?" Absolutely. Anytime you want, that door is always open OK? EMMA: "Bye Buddy. I'm going to miss you." MARK: "Hey, how are you doing, pal? See you. Come on sweetheart.

MARKYou okay? "I don't know what it is about Sally, I feel like I've always known her." How so? "Maybe it's from reading her books since I was a kid. Like meeting a pen pal." I can see that. She's a remarkable woman. "We're never seeing them again. Are we?" I don't know, Hon.

SALLYI don't want them to go either. Come on.

MARK"You're a saint for doing this. Emma wanted me to tell you that you had, quote saved her life." I'm happy to help out really. "And how's Buddy doing?" Oh, back to his old tricks. Same old routine. I know this was hard for you and Emma and I wish there was a way we could... "Give him a scratch. Tell him we miss him." Absolutely. Every chance I get.

MARK"This coffee's all right for a kiosk. You can taste the smokiness." I taste black coffee. "OK, all right, it's like that, right? You gotta let it sit on your pallet. You know, allow the bouquet to come to life. Inhale, you know?" I'm not much of a connoisseur, so you lost me on that one. "Try my Double Mocha Latte Blanco Milkshake, it'll make you a believer. "I think I can hear the commercial jingle right now! Well, it sounds decadent but the next time I'm in Waltham, I'm going to expect a life-changing coffee experience, please. "I'll do my best to deliver!"

SALLYWhy did you leave Madison Avenue? "Uh, well I was doing well there, work-wise really well I guess, but after Lauren died, I just decided that really well wasn't enough so I quit my job and I wanted Em to be close to my family in Boston, so I moved here." So, you know, you asked me this the other day, and I'm going to ask you, have, uh, are you dating again? "Well, with moving from New York, and trying to start a new business, and Emma, I, no. You know, it just, dating takes a lot of time." Oh my goodness and it's so much work. Seriously, I don't even know why we do it anymore. "No, they should ban it." It's nice to talk to somebody who understands what I'm talking about. "You fall in love, and you get married, not to be naive, but you assume that you're going to be with that person forever." I used to love to ice skate. "Oh yeah? You wouldn't catch me dead out there, not this guy." Really? "Yeah!"

SALLYArms out to your side. "This was a terrible idea, Sally!" No, it's a great idea. At a 60 degree angle, and push off with the inside of that edge. Right there, like that. "And I'm going to do all of this at the same time? "All of it! "You know, interestingly enough, I was born without a center of gravity... and thus I cannot skate and I cannot dance and cannot ski." Sounds like a horrible life. I've got you, don't worry. You're fine, doing good. "You're beautiful, you know that?" Stop, you're silly. Oh! Are you OK? Are you OK? Are you OK? You know what, that's what happens when you say silly things. "It's nice down here. "No no, you gotta get up there's other skaters, it's rude, you've got to get off the ice. "All right." Stop making me laugh. It's distracting.

EMMA"Dad, you're limping." Yeah, why don't you mind your own business. Against my better judgment, I allowed myself to be convinced that I should go ice-skating with Sally last night. "You went ice-skating?" I went ice-skating. "Sally got you on the ice?" She did, she got me on the ice. Might have went down a few times. "I don't believe it." Believe it. She is also going to come over for a drink tomorrow night. She's bringing Buddy! "Yes, Buddy! But Dad, you just saw her yesterday. Why is she coming over?" Well, we had a, you know, we had a good time, so we thought it might be fun, right? "Good job Dad." Good job for what Em? Oh, you're a funny kid. You're really funny!

SALLYEMMA: "Buddy! Come here!" Hi Emma! He's been so excited about this all day. Hey Mark, you're limping. What's going on? MARK: "You did this to me. You're a terrible person. "I what? Oh, from ice skating, are you kidding me? EMMA: "I don't know how you did it! I've been trying to get my Dad to go skating with me ever since I was little." Yeah? Well he showed great potential but he's got a lot of work to do. Know what I'm saying?

SALLYUm, guys, I hate to tell you this, but you do know that Christmas is just a little bit away. You couldn't put up a papier-mache angel? Some fresh crepe, maybe, a little something? MARK: "No, I've been on her case for about three weeks now to get a tree." Oh yeah? EMMA: "We've been busy!" Well, I gotta tell you, you happen to be in the presence of the best Christmas tree shopper in the world. MARK: "Is that right? Is there anything that you're not good at?" No, no, no, no, not me. Buddy over there. Mm-hmm, I promise you, he will pick out the best Christmas tree on the lot. Now mind you, it will be the most expensive. Dad, sorry about that, but he's got champagne taste! EMMA: "I don't know." Come on. MARK: "Why not right? Why don't we go get ourselves some holiday cheer?" Yeah! Bring your camera too. I'll bet you can get some great pictures. EMMA: "Okay." Human drama at its best right? EMMA: "Let's do it." MARK: "Come on pal."

SALLY'S SISTER"Well, why don't you just admit that you really like him. So what are you so afraid of?" I don't know. When we were decorating the Christmas tree I just, I just felt like I'm not, I'm not ready, I don't know. "Not ready for, I don't know, some happiness in your life?" It felt as if I was instantly a part of their family. Boom, just like that, and I just feel like that, it scared me, OK? Yeah, it scared me. It's too much too soon. Mark is, he's the first guy that I've had any kind of feelings for since... "Yeah, but you know what, getting cold feet is not a really big deal. I mean, it just means you're feeling something, and that's a good thing right?" Yes, he's a, Mark is a good guy. He's a very good guy. "Look, you want to see Mark again, and you want to look nice, and, now that Buddy's home, there's nothing standing in your way. It's time to start living again." It's just a really big step. "Well it's not a marriage proposal, and you're not buying a house together. Uh, all you're saying yes to, is a cup of coffee." It's a milkshake. He's a milkshake kind of guy. "OK, even better!"

SALLYOK, well we won't keep you long, Buddy and I wanted to bring you and your Dad something for Christmas, and I've given it a lot of thought. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough for what you did.

EMMA"If he shows up early, can you guys stall him? This could take a while." Well, Rome wasn't built in a day kid. "You know what Dad that is so not comforting." And that is not what I, I did not mean. SALLY: Poor thing, it's her first dance. Mine was a disaster in Crimson Taffeta, I gotta be honest.

EMMA"Your hair looks nice." Do you think so? My sister talked me into it. I'm not very adventurous, but I'm working on it. You know? Okay, maybe if we try a little up-do? What do you say? Try that? It twisted around a little bit, and put it off with a little bit of something coming down. What do you think? "If you can do it then I can too." All right, you've got a deal.

EMMA"Who is that girl? I don't know her." Sure you do. She's been there all along. She just needed a little coaxing.

MARK"You, you feel this, right? I mean, I'm not alone in this am I?" No, but I'm not 18 anymore, and I'm not good at this. "Either am I." I just need to go slow. "Yeah."

SALLYI shouldn't have left again. I, I panicked, I'm sorry. I just still feel frozen inside. "Look, there's a reason we met. Out of all the lost dogs and rescue shelters in the world, somehow, we found each other!"

LOOK-A-LIKE:Main girl looks like Helen Hunt.

• [https://www.eatlife.net/vips/teri-polo.php]

THOUGHT:Well Versed
She was like very well versed on his hobby refinishing the house, and on Emma's hobby of photography. He was well versed about her kitchen gadgets. Emma was well versed about Sally's book collection. Sally even called marketing Madison Avenue.

TRIVIA:

Papier Machete

Never knew it was spelled papier machete. It's French and means "pieces of paper stuck together using wet paste." Papier means paper and mache means crushed and ground.