Anne Sloan did not have to go too far to take her fur baby to see Santa and have photos with him last year.
The co-owner of the Riverwatch Brewery on 1175 4th St. in Augusta and a member of the Augusta Georgia Corgis group, Sloan took her Corgi, Griflet, to see Santa at her brewery when he was just 10 weeks old.
“Getting my corgi right before Christmas and getting that pic of him when he was so little was like Santa was giving me a puppy for Christmas. It was awesome, and every little kid dream was fulfilled,” Sloan said.
Children and pets are allowed in the brewery.
“The brewery is always pet friendly. Santa and Mrs. Claus even bring their own dog to help the nervous kids,” she said.
People have Santa photos taken with their dogs for the same reason people have them taken with their children – to make memories.
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Erica Tuper took one of her pets to PetSmart to have photos done several years ago.
“When I worked at PetSmart a long time ago, I wanted to capture a magical feeling with my beloved pet (Dushka) preserved in a holiday photo that I could cherish for a lifetime. Sadly, I don’t know where that photo is anymore because it was digital and never printed out,” said Tuper, who owns Good Life Canine Training Center in Aiken and has six furry friends.
Some places that offer pet photos with Santa require that dogs be on a leash during photo sessions, and some may even require proof of vaccinations.
As a trainer, Tuper recommends carrying small tidbits of healthy treats as rewards for the dogs visiting Santa to reward good behavior. Santa’s helpers sometimes have treats for the dogs at events.
This year, Tuper took some pictures of her dogs in front of a tree with a Santa hat and reindeer antlers.
Marcie Padgett of Evans took her four-year-old corgi Winston to the Junior League of Augusta’s Santa photo event last year to get photos.
“It was a great experience. Santa gave out treats, so, of course, Winston wanted to be his best friend,” she said.
The Junior League of Augusta allowed people to bring dogs to have pictures with Santa at their 10th Annual Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 12 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center.
For those who missed the Junior League event, there are other chances across the area.
Hollywood Feed on 630 Crane Creek Dr. Suite 108 in Augusta is donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of $25 photographs of pets with a professional Santa or with a special holiday guest. Team Stinky Kiss Pet Rescue will be the beneficiary. Guests who purchase photos will receive digital copies. Santa will be available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. There will be another photo op with a special holiday guest from noon to 2 p.m.
The Augusta Mall on 3450 Wrightsboro Road will have photo sessions for pets available with a professional Santa, starting at 4 p.m. on Mondays Dec. 6, 13 and 20. Prices vary, depending on photo packages.
Back to Nature Garden Center, 1815 Kissingbower Road will allow pets to be photographed with Santa from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 in an outdoor setting. Photos are $45. The center also has Christmas trees and poinsettias.
For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1048993299213732/.
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Dogs can visit with the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Santa Claus from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at The Three Star Vineyard and Orchard of Johnston, 172 Holmes Pond Rd., Johnston, S.C. Photos with the characters are $10 for three photo portraits or $15 for 5.
For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/596540471595246/.
PetSmart on 225 Robert C. Daniel Pkwy., the location in the “Hamrick’s” shopping center in N. Augusta, and other stores of that chain will have pet photos with Santa every Saturday and Sunday in December from noon to 3 p.m. until Dec. 19, starting Dec. 4.
Le Chat Noir on 304 8th St. in Augusta will allow pets to be photographed with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12. A limited number of slots are available and tickets may be purchased via the link below: https://www.simpletix.com/e/photos-with-santa-tickets-82379. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/920520091889996
Petco in Mullins Crossing in Evans will have pet photos with Santa beginning at noon Saturday, Dec. 18.
Santa will be at the pet-friendly Riverwatch Brewery on 1175 4th St. in Augusta for gingerbread building and pet and human photos from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, according to Sloan.
Bright Eyes Photography offers its Santa Experience in Rincon, Ga. It’s outdoor photography for dogs with Santa by appointment Dec. 17 to Dec. 19. There is an online signup list. For more information, see
https://www.facebook.com/events/971019170136789/ and the sign-up at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b4dacad2ea3fb6-santa.
Ron Baxley Jr. is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
