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Santa takes a moment for pets Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Kiwi, a 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier, would like a new bed for Christmas. Or so says her owner, Laura Deen, who brought her to Pet Country on Saturday for a little face time with Santa Claus. By Jessica Smith A 7-month-old black-spotted Great Dane called Thor, all paws and no coordination, slips and trips his way to the platform for a photo with Santa Claus. But Thor won�t obey his owner, who tries to sweet-talk him into posing with the big guy in the red suit. The puppy strains against his owner�s grip on the leash around his neck. He steps up to the platform, sits a moment, then walks off. This dance goes on for a few minutes until Thor, obviously tired, settles on the linoleum floor. Santa and Thor�s owners, Wendy and Brett Helfrich of Central Point, sink in behind him and stare up at the camera. "Dog lovers go through a lot," Santa muses. Yes, they do. Saturday morning, proud owners of wiener dogs, yellow labs, tabby cats, even a pair of llamas, line up to introduce their pets to Santa at Pet Country on North Pacific Highway in Medford. For a $5 donation, pet owners get a 5-by-7 inch photograph of their loved one with the jolly old elf. Donations go to support the Southern Oregon Humane Society. Kiwi, a 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, and Mochaman, a 4-year-old Siamese mix, handle their first visit with Santa like old pros. They don�t even flinch when the camera flash pops. "They�re gone before you know it," says Laura Deen, who brought the doll-like dog and the cocoa-colored cat to see Santa. "Then you just wish you had some neat pictures to remember them by. So I�m taking the time to make some memories." Falkore and Bandit, a pair of llamas decked out like Comet and Rudolph, are no different than any other family member, says owner Deborah Slocum, of Central Point. So why shouldn�t they be allowed to visit Santa? "These are my boys," Slocum says. "They�re part of the family. They get to do just about everything." Beds, collars and "special treats" are the hot gift items for pets this year, pet owners agree. But the furry family friends apparently have something else in mind. "They all want to win the lotto," Santa announces. "They want the finer things in life." Paws to visit Santa What: Pet photos with Santa Where: Pet Country, 2833 N. Pacific Highway, Medford When: 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, pick up 5-by-7 inch prints after Dec. 16 Cost: $5 donation requested to support the Southern Oregon Humane Society. Call: 773-7087 Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.