ESCONDIDO – Angie Meeks' Christmas cards last year featured a photo of the six most important members of her family.
Photo courtesy Angie Meeks
Terry Meeks donned a Santa suit and posed with five rescued golden retrievers for last year's family Christmas card photo, taken at the Escondido Humane Society's Holiday Boutique.
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In the photo her husband, Terry, wore a Santa suit and was surrounded by the five senior golden retrievers she had rescued earlier that year. Friends loved the photo and asked Angie where they could have their pets pose with Santa.
The photo was taken at the Holiday Boutique, sponsored by the Escondido Humane Society. The fourth annual boutique wraps up today.
Terry and Bob Clark will play Santa so they can give each other breaks.
Clark has dressed up as Santa since the boutique began in 2003. Clark, who has worked with domestic animals all his life, said some of the pet photos have been memorable.
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Pet photos with Santa are back at the Fourth Annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to3 p.m. today at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. Photo opportunities will be available again from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
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One woman came to the boutique with four Rottweilers, a couple of cocker spaniels and two Great Danes. Clark had a Great Dane under each arm, the cocker spaniels in his lap and the Rottweilers posed at his feet.
Clark's secret to getting the animals to sit still is his “elf,” Candy Kalman.
“Sometimes the guy in the big red and white suit is scary,” Clark said. “You have to get the animal's attention and calm them down. Candy is really good at that.”
Mary Lee Poremba, the Holiday Boutique coordinator, said pet photos with Santa are the highlight of the boutique. For a small donation, photos are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday.
In addition to the photo opportunities, pet lovers will be able to purchase gifts for their furry family members – and the human ones, too.
Many vendors are new to the boutique this year, Poremba said.
Angie purchased dog treats at last year's boutique that were devoured well before Christmas.
“I also bought scarves and bandannas for the dogs and jewelry for myself,” Angie said.
All pet adoptions will be half price at the event. Dog licensing, a shot clinic and microchips will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon.
A bake sale, raffle, arts and crafts booths and refreshments from the Hunter Steakhouse and Starbucks are other features of the boutique.
Admission is free. It will be at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. For more information, call (760) 888-2235.
Darcy Leigh Richardson: (760) 752-6753;
darcy.richardson@tlnews.net
