The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry

Delighted to be playing the part of a shepherd in the local Christmas pageant at St. John's Episcopal Church, Doug Barnes is suddenly confronted by a host of problems--including the misbehavior of his fellow shepherds, the cute boy playing Joseph opposite the girl he likes as Mary, the illness of the family dog, and his dad's flat tire, which could keep him out of the pageant. 200,000 first printing.