Why should kids be the only ones who get to take pictures with Santa? Christmas magic should be allowed for all beings of all species, and it seems like people are finally getting the memo.
In the latest addition to “people taking their dogs to meet Santa,” one bulldog totally stole the show. His mom posted the video evidence to TikTok on Monday, December 11th:
@eggnogthebulldog Santa LOVES Eggnog 🎄🥛🎅🏼 #santa #picswithsanta #dogsoftiktok
Eggnog the Bulldog most definitely made the nice list after this display. Santa has never looked so jolly!
Eggnog seems to be very content with her new bestie. If we really want to get technical, I would say that Santa is the lucky one here: he got to meet Eggnog! From the very vigorous belly rubs she’s getting, it’s clear that it was just as exciting for him.
Generally, there are two ways to meet Santa: the human way and the pet way. The events typically take place at separate times and in separate places. Pet photos with Santa can be found at pet stores, whereas human photos with Santa are usually at malls, big stores, etc. While there’s hardly a hard and fast rule that says you can’t bring your pet to a “human” Santa meet-and-greet, most people choose not to. You never know who’s allergic!
Are Pet Photos With Santa Safe?
If you’re anything like me, you worry constantly about the different ways your pet can get sick. While photos with Santa are certainly adorable, its only natural to wonder how many dogs Santa is exposed to in a day and, subsequently, how many of those dogs have been exposed to diseases. There are also a few other potential questions:
- How many other dogs are going to be there?
- How many humans are going to be there?
- What’s the sanitation process like?
Generally, as long as you watch out for your dog’s cues, they should do just fine having their picture taken with Santa. As soon as they start to look a little bit stressed out, it’s best to remove them from the situation. The number one way to get on the naughty list is, in fact, to bite Santa!
Before your dog gets some pictures taken with Santa (and before they out into crowded spaces at all), you should ensure that they’re up to date on all of their shots. That’ll protect them from most transmissible diseases, though you should still be careful not to let them lick/eat anything off the floor.
Safety in the Times of the Mystery Dog Illness
Recently, dogs have been falling ill with a sickness that’s yet to be completely identified. The symptoms are similar to kennel cough, though that doesn’t appear what it is. All we really know is that dogs who are getting it have been in direct contact with other dogs. Cautious pet parents have been avoiding:
- Boarding
- Grooming appointments
- Dog parks
- Long walks in unfamiliar places
- Unnecessary outings
Included in unnecessary outings, unfortunately, is pet pictures with Santa. As cute as they are, many are concerned that it might not be worth the risk. However, it can be done as safely as possible, as it was in Eggnog’s case. You can take your dog to see Santa, scoop them up, take them home, and give them a bath. A vet appointment a few days after the meeting – or as soon as you notice strange symptoms – can help mitigate the risk of the disease becoming fatal,
Eggnog is all good, and I’m really happy for her. I am, however, very jealous of Santa. I want to meet Eggnog!