Our dog Virgil seems to understand the concept of "Christmas." I think, over time, he's taken cues from the patterned behavior and rituals of his humans. The day after Thanksgiving, for example, he now routinely vanishes into the pine fields behind the house and, a few hours later, returns with a perfectly formed holiday tree he's chewed off at the trunk.

He also uses his nose to poke out the little doorways in our advent calendar; decorates his own cookies with sugar spangles; and — you know that goofball who taught his own dog to bark "Jingle Bells?" — I'll be darned if Virgil can't howl an Aaron Neville-like "Silent Night."

Dammit: What's better than animals at Christmas?  

That's why it's important Sunday to attend John Speziale & Friends' sixth annual "Rock & Roll Christmas Show" on behalf of Stand Up For Animals, hosted as always by The Knickerbocker. Stand Up for Animals is the Westerly shelter that supports, cares for and provides homes for troubled animals.

Expect plenty of good-time rock 'n' roll from an all-star band including members of Sweet Mercy, Sunday Gravy and The Hoolios. The CarLeans open, and count on special appearances by Craig "The Strolling Fiddler" Edwards and Dancing Santa — along with fine food and drink, raffles, a silent auction, a photo booth, and a dance contest.

Sixth Annual Rock & Roll Christmas Show, 6 p.m. Sunday, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly; benefits Stand Up for Animals; $12 donation at the door; (401) 315-5070.