Scared Of Santa

Dear Dog Lady,

I took Max, my Shepherd-mix, to meet Santa Claus at the local pet store in the mall. The store was selling pictures of dogs with Santa and I thought it would be neat to put floppy antlers on Max and have him pose with the big guy. Max had other ideas. When I put the antlers on him, he kept dragging his head on the floor until I took them off. When Santa tried to put his arm around my dog for the photo, Max bolted, which cranked up the barking from the other dogs waiting for Santa. It was humiliating for me to corner Max in the kibble aisle. I grabbed him, put on the leash, and left the store without waiting for the picture. Since then, I’m mad at Max for creating the scene. What made him so scared of Santa?

Bruno, Chicago, ILL

Bruno, are you the Grinch who stole Max’s Christmas? You ascribe human codes of conduct to your dog and think ill of your animal because he didn’t live up to your picture. Max was doing what comes naturally to him. The antlers felt funny and Kris Kringle spooked your pet. That’s OK. Most dogs don’t believe in antlers or Santa -- unless the horns come attached to a can of venison and Santa rides a sleigh stuffed with pork chops.

My mom told a story of taking toddler Dog Lady to see Santa one year. Apparently, little Dog Lady reacted with the same ferocity as Max and wailed at the sight of the man in the red suit. My mother described how she was so mortified. She grabbed her screaming, kicking child and walked out of the store. See? Even some kids are scared to jump into the lap of the jolly old elf.

Bruno, don’t set the bar too high for Max. He’s a dog. Love him for the animal he is, not for the human you want him to be.

Posted by Dog Lady at January 1, 2005 11:47 AM