The most beautiful dog in the world

Everyone was concerned about Lola. It was Christmas time, but Lola was sad. What could be wrong with the white and tan British bulldog? 'You're so ugly,' barked the other dogs in the family. Poor Lola - she felt alone, unwanted and so, so sad.

When a dog sheds a tear something very special happens: the tear evaporates and merges with the clouds, and when God steps on that cloud, he also feels that sadness, so he traces where the tear has come from and sends one of his angels to help sort the problem.

Christmas Eve arrived and all of the dogs were very excited, except one - poor Lola. Lola just lay in her bed, alone and sad. All of a sudden a light appeared, which grew brighter and brighter. 'What's that?' one of the dogs asked. 'Perhaps it's Santa!' said one of the younger pups. Just as the light couldn't get any brighter, it disappeared and there, in its place, stood a beautiful young girl, with a pair of brilliant white wings. The dogs' eyes widened. 'Are you a fairy?' asked a young pup. 'No,' replied the girl, smiling, 'I am an angel.' 'Have you brought us presents?' the pup asked eagerly. 'No,' the angel giggled, 'that's Santa's job. I've come to see you, Lola. Why are you so sad?' Lola whispered: 'Because I am so ugly!' 'Whoever told you that?' the angel asked softly. The other dogs all hung their heads and looked away in shame. 'There is a reason why we all look different from each other,' the angel explained, and she told them the story of the Most Beautiful Dog in the World ...

One Christmas God was so pleased with the good work that Santa had done that he wanted to give him a special present. God wanted to give Santa the Most Beautiful Dog in the World. He made a special clay and began shaping the dog. When he had finished he said to the dog, 'You are the Most Beautiful Dog in the World'. The dog was very excited and dashed off towards the garden pond to look at his reflection. 'NO, WAIT!' God shouted. 'YOU'RE NOT FULLY DRY YET.' But it was too late, the dog sped into the garden, couldn't stop himself in time, and fell into the pond. God managed to pull the dog out of the water but the dog's face and body had melted - he wasn't the same shape as God had originally created. 'Oh no!' God thought to himself. 'I haven't got time to make another dog for Santa - this one will have to do'. So he dried the dog off and gave him to an angel to deliver to Santa the next day.

When the angel gave Santa the gift from God, the dog charged at Santa, knocking him to the ground and licking his face and beard. Santa looked into the dog's big, brown eyes and fell in love with the dog. He called the dog 'Bull', because he charged like one, and proclaimed him the Most Beautiful Dog in the World.

Lola was crying again but this time they were tears of joy. The other dogs turned to Lola and said they were sorry for being so cruel and asked for her forgiveness, which she gave without question. The angel then gently patted Lola's head, spread her wings and disappeared in a burst of bright light. Christmas morning arrived and there, on the kitchen sofa, lay Lola - snuggled up with the other family dogs, happy and contented.

· Sharon Osbourne's story comes from'Selfridges' Christmas Stories', £14.95, available from all Selfridges stores and from www.selfridges.com. All profits go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.