Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Santa Paws has come and gone from town, but not before leaving several area residents with snapshots for memories of his visit to the Central Aroostook Humane Society Dec. 1 and 8. “We’ve done this as a fund-raising event for several years and hope to continue it in the future,” said Christine Robinson, shelter board president.
The event, held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both Saturdays, provided an opportunity for pet owners and parents to bring their pets and children in to have pictures taken with Santa.
“We didn’t set a price. We asked for donations instead – whatever an individual could contribute,” said Robinson.
For many of the visitors, it wasn’t their first time in a shelter.
“This is our second year doing this,” said Chelsea Hammond, of Ashland, holding her Lhasa Apso, Elly, as she waited for her younger brother, Lucien Hammond, to have his picture taken with the family’s other dog, Patches, and Santa Paws. “Patches is an American Bulldog. We got him from the shelter.”
Hammond, like her brother, took time to get her picture taken with Santa and Elly.
Others thought it would be cute to have a keepsake photo of their pets with Santa.
“Mickey and L.T. are Boston Terriers. I liked the idea of getting their picture taken with Santa,” said owner Paige Deveau, of Presque Isle.
Robyn York, of Mapleton, liked the idea of supporting a worthy cause.
“Rocky is a shelter dog. I just liked the idea of helping an organization like this,” said York. “This is our first time.”
Jennifer and David Cyr III brought their dog and two sons for the photo op.
“Zoey’s a shelter dog. We adopted her in September 2006 and she’s been inseparable from the kids – especially Trace – ever since. She’s very protective of Trace, our youngest son,” said Jennifer Cyr. “We like the idea of supporting the shelter and getting a family keepsake at the same time.”
Karen Carmichael brought her two dogs – Daisy, a St. Bernard, and Corky, a Border Collie-Corgi mix – to the Dec. 1 event. Carmichael was patient with her pets, as she coaxed them to sit together for the photo.
“Daisy’s a bit shy. Corky is more outgoing,” said Carmichael. “We got Daisy from the shelter about a year and a half ago. Corky was a private rescue.”
Alan and Maxine Henderson have made it a family tradition to bring their pet in for a snapshot with Santa.
“We come every year. We don’t always know how it will work. Sammo, our eight-year-old Pekingese, is a bit shy,” explained Maxine Henderson.
Probably one of the biggest groups to sit with Santa was the Robinson children and their pooches.
“I must be crazy,” said Robinson, with a laugh. “I brought my two daughters, Megan and Anna, as well as five dogs: Baxter, Zoey, Rusty, Tucker and Tommy.”
Surprisingly, the group proved to be one of the easiest to photograph, all seven participants sitting still with Santa as cameras clicked away.
Refreshments were provided for visitors to enjoy as they waited to have pictures taken with the Jolly Old Elf. Funds raised will go toward operating costs at the facility.
“Every dollar counts. With fuel and electricity rates going up all the time, we can use all the help we can get. We only get so much support from the towns we serve, so we rely on fund-raisers like this to help make ends meet,” said Robinson.
Approximately $300 was raised during the Dec. 1 event. No dollar amount was available at presstime for funds raised Dec. 8.
