Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to spend quality time with our families, friends and of course our dogs! We asked some of our K9 Nation ambassadors and Pack members to share with the K9 Community what it means for them to enjoy Christmas at home and what special activities they enjoy doing with their dogs during the festive season!
Becky + Buddy
What does it mean for you to be at home for Christmas?
Christmas is all about family for me and my happiest memories are about everyone being together on Christmas morning in their pyjamas, the music playing in the background, opening their presents with big smiles on their faces and the family dog (our American Cocker Spaniel) sat in the middle of us all playing with the discarded wrapping paper.
What do you do special for your dog(s) at Christmas (gifts, food, walks, clothes etc)?
We have a family tradition that we always have a big walk on Christmas morning with the dogs so that we can work up a big appetite for our Christmas dinner. Nowadays it is my mum, my sister and her family with their Akita and me. The dogs always get a present each and we put them under the tree and let them sniff it out which one is there’s and we help them rip it open.
Francesca Smith, Ralph and Norah
What does it mean for you to be at home for Christmas?
This year will be the first Christmas in 8 years that I have Christmas break (I feel like I’ve made it😂) it means that I can spend more time doing what I love most:
– Christmas walks.
– Spending time with people I love including Ralph and Norah.
– Wrapping presents. Which Ralph enjoys watching haha.
What do you do special for your dog(s) at Christmas (gifts, food, walks, clothes etc)?
I always get Ralph’s favourite gift for Christmas, a hide n seek themed plush. This year is a gingerbread house with sprouts to find inside. Along with a puzzle game. Last year was a log with squirrels wearing hats inside. We always go for nice morning walks and he has extra natural treats to eat. He also opens all of his presents.
Jordan Dargue and her pack
What does it mean for you to be at home for Christmas?
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, spending quality time with family, friends and of course my dogs. Christmas for us at Jalwhipp includes relaxing days, quality time on the sofa and winter walks across the region. We love Christmas time here at Jalwhipp HQ and my dogs are included in every inch of the festive season.
They get to spend full days with all of the family and feast on turkey and vegetables and special meals throughout the season. Under normal circumstances, December is a busy time for the dogs shows so most Decembers I am away each weekend showing the dogs, which also includes a couple of doggy Christmas parties, which my boys thoroughly enjoy.
2020 has been a difficult year for all, and this year I plan to take more time out to relax which usually means more walking, and movie afternoons and duvet days, which of course my dogs will love!!
What do you do special for your dog(s) at Christmas (gifts, food, walks, clothes etc)?
The festivities for my dogs all starts with an advent calendar for each dog – this year I opted for the JR 100% pure meat advent calendars (£12.99 each) for each of the dogs. They always get new bedding in December and lots of treats including toys. I always buy my dogs Christmas gifts and this year with having 5 to buy for I am opting for a big box of treats and toys which they can tuck in to on Christmas morning.
Christmas day always includes at least two festive walks in our local woods – there is nothing better than walking your dogs on Christmas morning and bumping into fellow dog walkers and wishing them a very Merry Christmas. As I prepare for Christmas Lunch my dogs will also have a special Christmas lunch of Turkey and Vegetables. This year I am going to add a little life to their turkey and veg and make a special casserole – and save the dark meat from the turkey for the dogs to also enjoy on Boxing Day. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the dogs being a big part of the festivities, and what’s more Jive the new puppy will be experiencing all of this for the first time!
Charlotte Wood, Oscar and Monty
What does it mean for you to be at home for Christmas?
Christmas is a special time of year to spend with your family and Oscar and Monty are very much cherished (and possibly spoilt) family members! It’s nice for the dogs to be part of the excitement of a family Christmas. Having time away from work and school means we can enjoy even more dog walks and this year we’ll be exploring some new walks using the K9 Nation App.
What do you do special for your dog(s) at Christmas (gifts, food, walks, clothes etc)?
This year the boys will be getting a Pitpat activity monitor each, the whole family is excited to see how many steps and exercise the dogs actually do! They already have their reindeer headbands and I’m sure they will be enjoying a bit of Christmas dinner on the big day too!
Lori Hoy and Princess Buttercup
What does it mean for you to be at home for Christmas?
Being home for Christmas for us means being together whether that has been in New Mexico or Nebraska in the US or this year in London. Princess Buttercup has always been with me for Christmas which means she has flown and taken road trips as we have travelled to different places. It would not be Christmas without my best buddy with me to celebrate the season!
What do you do special for your dog(s) at Christmas (gifts, food, walks, clothes etc)?
I do lots of special things for Princess Buttercup for Christmas. She has two festive jumpers, a snowman bandana, and a Santa bow tie. She usually gets all decked out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and this year she will be enjoying Different Dog’s Festive Feast meal as a fun treat. She has her own Christmas stocking, and it will be filled with lots of toys, treats, and other goodies. This year, before Christmas, we are also going to the Egerton Hotel for the Festive Doggie Afternoon Tea which I am sure we will both enjoy immensely. We love having new adventures together!
