19 December 2023 , 18:19
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The queue outside Santa’s Grotto grows longer by the minute, excitement mounting with rumours of Santa’s imminent arrival.
Parents tighten their grip, in case little ones make a run for it. But it’s not a child’s hand they are clinging on to - it’s a dog’s lead. Step aside kids - this is one of a growing number of grotto sessions where pampered pooches are the stars of the show, getting their own chance to meet Santa Paws for a cuddle, present, and photo memento of the happy occasion.
For in 2023, it’s anything but a dog’s life at Christmas : there’s been an explosion of festive doggy activities happening across the country, with doting owners only too keen to say Bark humbug! to the cost of living crisis. And it’s the rising number of dog-only grottos in department stores, garden centres and the like that has really got tongues - and tails - wagging.
But what does Santa and his little helpers think of their new clientele? Well, we’re volunteering our services as Santa’s assistant at Dobbies Garden Centre in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, to see just how many dogs had made the naughty and nice list.
Intrepid Mirror Elf reporter Emma and Haku the Akira (©Stan Kujawa)After an “Elf and Safety briefing”, it was time to get stuck in. Rudi is the first dog to weave his way through the grotto tunnels, trotting beside mum Nykki Hoade and daughter Louisa, 12. Dressed in a smart red coat emblazoned with ‘Christmas Crew’ - just one of his collection of five Christmas jumpers - it is clear he knows something is going on, but quite what, is a mystery. A rescue dog from Cyprus, he is more focused on giving everything in the grotto a sniff than paying any attention to the strange man in the red suit.
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Nykki says: “I love Rudi having experiences, and have covered my walls in his pictures. I know he is a dog and doesn’t care so it’s crazy, but I love it!” Presented with a rope toy by Santa, Rudi no longer has to pretend to be good - and promptly heads to a nearby Christmas tree to cock his leg before heading on his way.
The next two pups bounce in with more enthusiasm, two-year old chocolate labrador Bertha bowling over five month old Patterpoo Patsy to reach the grotto first. This visit might not be a walk in the park for Santa. His owner - or ‘Mum’ - Claire Hunter admits Patsy is a little naughty. “Spirited I would say!” interjects ‘dad’ Tom, as Patsy launches herself at Santa’s face, determined to subject him to a good licking.
As Bertha is persuaded to pose with son Archie with the bribery of treats, Tom says: “We are mad for Christmas and want our dogs to be part of it, even if they haven’t a clue what is going on. They love the fuss and get tons of presents.”
Rocco the French Bull Dog (©Stan Kujawa)Owners, or ‘parents’ as some prefer, can snap up photo booklets, buy their memory inside a snow globe or tree ornament. This is on top of the £6.99 entry fee, with additional costs for extra dogs or children. But most visitors declare it a bargain, and tickets to see Santa Paws were sold out by October. This is the third year Dobbies has been running the event, with 55 venues across the UK now offering the service and other stores such as John Lewis also joining in the trend.
Our Santa for the morning is George Bull, whose 6ft 6in frame makes him perfect for the role. But at just 17 years old, this weekend job is not quite what he expected - he has been pulled away from the tills and put through his Jolly Ho Ho Ho training sessions because of an unforeseen staffing issue: The regular Santa is allergic to dogs.
“The dogs are really playful and fun,’ says George. “And we work hard to get some great photos, which is the most important thing for most owners.”
Santa with Cavalier King Charles (©Stan Kujawa)Joanna Howden-Smith is one of the elves going above and beyond to ensure that perfect photo, and adds: “Some of the dogs are well trained, although it is a little more difficult to get their photo than with children! For [children] it is much more about keeping the magic alive.” Meanwhile Rocco, a French bulldog is proving he is a professional poser, tilting his head and staring at the camera with his cutest expression. This boy knows how to earn his treats.
Owners Lauren Pieri and Jason Litchfield from Edgcott reveal they are making a calendar starring Rocco in poses throughout the year. Lauren said: “We don’t have children, we have a dog instead. My mum has a wall of all the grandchildren, so we think it would be cute to have Rocco’s Christmas picture on there!”
For some the memories being created have more poignancy. A King Charles has to be pushed in a pram having suffered a stroke, but seems happy to see the man in red. Other owners want a souvenir of their little darling’s puppy years. Five-month-old Haku the Akita has only been in the country three weeks, after owners Tina Stres and Matt Boaler bought him from a breeder in Romania.
They have driven a 100-mile round trip from Chertsey, Surrey, determined that Haku get the most of his first Christmas. Tina says: “We watched Elf on TV and he didn’t like Father Christmas, so we thought maybe he would be fine after meeting the real one! He is our fluffy child.”
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Intrepid Mirror Elf reporter Emma Donnan with Patsy the patterpoo (©Stan Kujawa)For all the dogs this is just a small part of the planned Christmas celebrations. There is talk of stockings, advent calendars, piles of presents and specially prepared Christmas dinners. Hardly a dog trots through without a specially designed Christmas jumper or set of antlers.
For many of those visiting, their dogs are without doubt part of the family. Psychiatrist Dr Lopa Winters, says lavishing attention on our pooches is natural, especially in a post-pandemic world.
“Brits are a nation of dog lovers - out relationship with dogs has been written about since Freud’s time - but the straightforward love and affection given by a dog in recent bleak times highlighted their importance,” she says. “As they become part of the family that inevitably includes joining in Christmas celebrations. Plus once options like grottos are available, owners are guilt-tripped into feeling bad if they don’t go for it!”
Bertha and Patsy with owner Archie (©Stan Kujawa)Lucy Motherway and Jordan Halsey have made the trip from Abingdon, keen to get the perfect family portrait with dogs Sky and Fly. All in matching jumpers (dogs included) Lucy explains Sky had a difficult life before joining their family aged 10, so she is doubly keen for her to have a memorable Christmas. She says: “They are almost like our kids. They get a stocking each, and I’m a dog walker so they get a present from all the other dogs, they are very spoilt.” Jordan, who had taken a day off work for the outing, added: “They have been promised a dog toy each today, and a puppuccino on the way home!”
The steady trail of dogs continue, but for some dogs the excitement proves too much - one backs shaking under the bench, tail firmly tucked between his legs, while another is intent on removing Santa’s beard. The naughty list grows as one sneakily opens a display present, waggy tailed sending decorations flying, and another swaps her new toy for a pine cone whilst oblivious owners inspect the photo options.
But ultimately everyone just seems to be having fun. As an Elf, or Santa Executive Assistant, it’s certainly more exhausting work than you might imagine. Yet this job comes with a wonderful Christmas bonus - as you’re paid extra in cuddles, laughter and treats.
And as the final dog finishes his posing and revels in the affection, it is clear he may not understand exactly what it is all about, but is having a merry time nevertheless.
Even the big dogs like their festive fun (©Stan Kujawa)Go behind the scenes at the doggy grotto with our very own elf.
My Jessie's full of Christmutt cheer
Imagine the life of a pampered blonde in the Surrey stockbroker belt, writes Karen Bryans.
A spot of yoga, fizz at lunchtime, afternoon tea with the girls? Hair and nails at the beauty salon, a wardrobe stuffed with expensive threads…
You’ve just pictured the life of Jessie Greenwood, cocker spaniel. And just like the pooches at the doggy grotto, Jessie is never more spoiled than at Christmas.
‘Mum’, Kathryn, 47, an accountant from Weybridge, Surrey, spends £400-£500 a month on her ‘essentials’. All the glam days out are extra.
“She’s seen Santa Paws, she’s been to Windsor Great Park for a sniff around the Illuminated festive trail,” begins Kathryn. “She’s going to a winter doggy festival soon.”
Jessie has afternoon tea (DAILY MIRROR)Kathryn got 11-year-old Jessie, a retired breeding dog, from a family friend in lockdown. She’d spent her life living outside, but now she’s a true pampered princess. Her wardrobe is full of Equafleeces - posh doggy jumpers - and a specially-tailored suit from Scotland. She recently lost four kilos on a special metabolic diet, but loves Pawsecco and afternoon tea - a puppuccino, doggy biscuits and little sausages served to her on a special tiered tray. Then there’s the dog yoga, doggy massage, and trips to private members’ club Soho House.
Jessie has fun at Christmas grotto (DAILY MIRROR)But seeing her local Santa was a real highlight. “Jessie got to sit on his knee and did a little dance for him,” says Kathryn. “I love spoiling [her] because she’s an incredibly loving dog.”
Is she as generous to herself? Me? I get a haircut once every six months,” she says. “Jessie gets one every six weeks!”
Is your pet more festive than Rudolph? Is your pooch getting more spoiled than the kids this year? Send us pics and videos of your Christmas-loving pets to [email protected].