Deidre Tracy moved to Wellington a couple years ago. She doesn’t have any family in the area except, of course, her 3 ½-year-old basset hound, Bosley Francis Tracy, whose middle name was given to him in honor of Deidre’s father.
“I don’t have any siblings, and my parents and grandparents are all deceased, so he’s my immediate family,” Tracy says. “He’s the most important being in my life.”
Naturally, Tracy makes sure Christmas is special for Bosley, as do many other pet owners who find creative ways to involve their furry friends in the festivities. According to petexec.net, millennials and Gen Zers spend an average of $100 on their pets during the holidays, with the most popular gifts being holiday-themed pet outfits, toys and treats.
Growing up, Tracy had a family tradition of spending New Year’s Eve with the family pet as well as others if they wanted to come by. It’s a tradition she’s continued with Bosley, even if their celebration doesn’t land on the holiday. Last year, Tracy was out of town over Christmas, so she and Bosley celebrated on Dec. 26.
“I snuck out of the room after he went to bed and set up his gifts on the floor,” she says. “I didn’t wrap them or anything, but they were displayed so he’d get up and find them in the morning. He knew right away that they were his and were new because he was super excited.”
Along with a new bed, Bosley got a ton of his favorite toys: squeaky balls.
“Then we just spent the day together,” Tracy says. “He even got a tiny bit of 100-percent sparkling apple juice.”
Danielle Reavill, a Fort Collins resident, also makes the holiday season fun for her pets. She has two dogs: a 3-year-old male tricolor Pembroke Welsh corgi named Grendel and a 12-year-old dachshund/Chihuahua mix named Noodle, who she recently adopted from her grandmother. Both get special treatment during the holidays, but last Christmas was a little more special for Reavill’s 14-year-old mixed breed, Kiara, who passed away in January.
“I really stepped it up and got her all kinds of treats,” she says, including the wrapped bone she got every Christmas.
A pup at Scheels’ Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus event.
All dressed up
Kristy Wygmans and her family always involve their 8-year-old rescue, Grace, when they get into the holiday spirit. Wygmans, of Fort Collins, dresses Grace up in a Santa coat while the family decorates their Christmas tree.
“We put on fun holiday tunes, grab Grace’s holiday outfit and decorate away,” Wygmans says. “We aren’t sure if she likes it or just tolerates it, but she sure looks cute.”
Grace has her very own stocking in the shape of a bone, which Santa leaves a little something special inside.
“One year we let her pick out her own toy at the pet store, and she grabbed a small Santa pig out of the bin,” Wygmans says. “We thought it would last maybe a day, but she carried that squeaky Santa pig around all holiday season.”
As for Grace’s outfit, the family can’t remember exactly where they got it, but they do know that it was kind of a joke at the time. As the years have rolled past, the outfit has persevered.
Grace, Kristy Wygman’s pup.
Heading for the hills
Jetson is a 3-year-old rescue who gets pampered every Christmas by Fort Collins resident Stacy Cameron. But she doesn’t dress Jetson up because he already has a unique look.
“He gets called a hyena and tiger all the time,” Cameron says.
Jetson loves to open presents and go on adventures in the snow. Last Christmas, Cameron took Jetson up Triangle Mountain near Glen Haven.
“It had snowed up there, so I thought that would be cool,” she says. “That’s how we plan to spend every Christmas: hiking together. He’s my only family out here, so we spend the holidays doing Jetson things.”
Hiking is the best thing Cameron can think of to spoil Jetson. He’s never happier or has a bigger doggie smile than when he’s romping around in the snow or up the side of a mountain, she says.
“It’s truly the best gift I can think of for myself as well,” she says, “and that is what the holidays are supposed to and should be about.”
Stacy Cameron and Jetson
Photos with Santa
Families with children usually make a trip to see Santa Claus, so why would pet owners be any different? Santa welcomes photos with pets at these locations (and many others) this year:
Animal Friends Alliance. The rescue’s Pet Photos with Santa event takes place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, at their Mulberry location. Visit savinganimalstoday.org to sign up for a 10-minute slot for $25, which includes photos with up to five pets (photos are for pets only, not humans).
The Elizabeth Hotel. Santa visits from
11 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday in December until Christmas Day and invites pets to sit on his lap for free photos. No need to RSVP.
Embassy Suites. Macdonald Financial Services is hosting its free Paws & Claus photo event from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the hotel. Registration is not required.
Foothills Mall. The Santa Pawz event takes place from 12-2 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Pets can also have their photo taken with Santa during his regular schedule beginning on Nov. 29. Cell phone photos are free, and professional photography is available for purchase. No RSVP required.
Ginger and Baker. The free Santa and Pups Photo Event will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. RSVP at gingerandbaker.com or show up anytime.
SCHEELS. Pets are welcome on all days of the free Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus event, which takes place from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 1-23 (except Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14). Time slots are per family and can be reserved at
bit.ly/3zYKzmV.
Wagz Pet Market & Grooming. A Holiday Pawty is scheduled from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. Free pet photos with Santa are offered from 3-5 p.m, and guests can take home digital copies. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/3YfxvBt.
NoCo Unleashed. Dog trainer Megan Wallace is offering photos with Santa at her Loveland business from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. All pups are welcome, though the event is geared toward dogs who need a little help feeling comfortable with Santa. A professional photographer will take the photos, and a certified trainer will be present with treats to help create a positive experience. Each 15-minute session costs $50 and includes one digital photo. Reserve your spot at nocounleashed.com/upcoming-events.
