Anyone take pictures with Santa with their Yorkies?
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LANCASTER -- Letitia Holsinger had her hands full as she waited in line at the Lancaster Animal Clinic, with her bulldog, Uga, on Sunday.
Uga, who couldn't seem to keep his tongue in his mouth, appeared to be anxious to get to the front of the line and take pictures with Santa Claus.
Uga didn't want to stay still, but neither did most of the dogs waiting in line with their owners to take pictures at the annual fund-raiser, Pet Pictures with Santa.
"I don't know how he's going to act. He's never seen Santa before," said Holsinger, 29. "But he has a serious affection for fur and fleece. He's kind of nuts about that so I told Mrs. Claus she might have to hold him down."
More than 50 people passed through the door to take pictures with their pets or have their pets take pictures with Santa.
"I had five animals on me earlier, but it was fun," said Michael Oliver, who played Santa Claus. "I've learned pretty quickly you never stop smiling and try not to act like it's a struggle to keep dogs in place."
"Some years, Michael is so exhausted after this," laughed Marlene Oliver, Michael Oliver's wife who played Mrs. Claus.
Oliver got a break when Mark and Sharen Bigham got to the front of the line. The couple wanted to take pictures with their 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Ms. Cutie Pie Bigham, and not Santa.
"We don't have any pictures of us with her," said 55-year-old Sharen Bigham. "These will be Christmas presents for our kids."
Denise Bennett carries pictures of her dogs, Klaire, a Rottweiler and Koa, a Pomeranian, in her wallet.
"They're our babies, our family and they're spoiled rotten," said Bennett, who attended the photo session with her 13-year-old daughter, Sarah Bennett.
The event was presented by the clinic, Forgotten 4-Paws and Judy and Tim Moorehead Photography.
The proceeds go to Forgotten 4-Paws, to pay for medical expenses of homeless cats and dogs in the organization's care.
"It's a wonderful event because we get to see people who love their animals," said Libby Cavanaugh, president and founder of the non-profit organization. "We care for abused and neglected animals so this gives us a chance to see the other side."
Last year, the organization raised $700 from the event.
The organization has at least 180 animals in care -- some of which are in boarding at area vet clinics or in foster care.
"Some of the work we do gets really expensive and the Lancaster Animal Clinic is one of the ones who helps us with reduced medical care and help house animals," Cavanaugh said. "Even though expenses have been reduced we have a lot of animals coming in ill and sick so they need a lot of medical attention, so we need donations."
Cavanaugh said she has dreams of one day having a facility to house the animals.
"We're looking for someone to donate land so we can build a facility," she said.
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