NBCR has its own personal Santa

by Josh Thomson

My wife and I adopted both Tristan and Sophie from NBCR. They are two of the sweetest and most entertaining cats I have ever met. I am grateful to this organization that brought them into our lives, and I’m happy to be able to give something in return.

When I was asked to volunteer to be Santa Claws, I didn’t think I was up to the task. I had never worn Santa’s red suit before. My voice, while jolly, cannot carry Santa’s laugh. With the possible exception of the belly, I do not resemble Santa at all. I was assured that all I would have to do is look good in pictures and hand out candy canes.

I wasn’t sure I could be Santa until mid-afternoon of my first day in the suit, when a little girl spotted me as she entered the store. Her eyes lit up and she ran towards me yelling, “Santa! Santa! Santa!” It’s
a long way to the back of the store, but she ran the whole way. When she got close, I knelt down and started asking her the typical Santa questions, “What’s your name?” and “Have you been good this year?” I was part way through that second question when she looked just past me over my shoulder. Her eyes got even bigger, and she yelled “Puppies!” and promptly ran off just as quickly as she had run towards me.

I have helped with dog training while I was Santa, teaching dogs how to cope with strangers. I think I made a good example. To a dog, I can’t imagine anyone stranger than a man in a fuzzy red suit whose gloves carry the smell of several other dogs.

By volunteering for this event, I have learned to be more patient. I have learned that sometimes it takes three people to extricate a puppy’s claws from Santa’s beard. I have learned that if the Great Dane will not come to Santa, then Santa has to come to the Great Dane.

As Santa Claws, I have held tiny daschund puppies in my palms. I have knelt next to an Irish Wolfhound that was nearly as tall as I am. I have even held a few brave kittens and cats. I have been in pictures that were sent to grandmothers and to grandchildren and to overseas soldiers.

For some people, the holiday season starts the day after Thanksgiving, and for some it starts when they decorate their houses. For me, it starts when I become Santa Claws for two afternoons and pose for pictures with dozens of dogs and cats. I might not have been certain about it at first, but now I look forward to it every year.

Note: with Josh as Santa, NBCR raised almost $500 this year. Great job, Santa!

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