The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Last Saturday Sisters was brimming with holiday merriment - including the four-legged kind.

For the third year Kathy Deggendorfer hosted a Holiday Open House Celebration at the Art Works Building with fundraisers benefitting Furry Friends Foundation, Sisters Outlaws Equestrian Team, Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, and Black Butte School.

Pet parents brought their beloved dogs inside to get a special portrait with St. Nick.

Santa had time to park his sleigh at Sisters Art Works and put in a special appearance for Pet Photos with Santa, which benefits Furry Friends Foundation. FFF in turn helps Sisters families in need by maintaining a pet-food bank, providing assistance with spay/neuter programs and unexpected veterinary expenses

At Saturday's event, the "big dog" himself posed with 63 canines.

"Lots of dogs have showed up for so many years; I look forward to seeing how they are doing," said Furry Friends Foundation founder and director, Kiki Dolson.

"It's fun watching the dogs react to Santa, some are brave, but some are really scared. Many of the dogs know Santa (Sam Hernandez owner of Central Bark) but don't recognize him in the Santa suit. So, with a lot of coaxing they make it over to him. Sam will secretly lower his Santa beard just long enough for the pup to get a quick sniff and happy tail wags ensue, often with the dog jumping in his lap."

Dolson noted that FFF is in the midst of its busiest season.

"Furry Friends has many pets to feed this holiday, with applications still being accepted. The pet-food drive is in conjunction with Sisters Kiwanis and Sisters RFPD Spirit of Giving Foodshare & Gifts program."

Much-needed cash donations are being accepted at the Furry Friends office, online at http://www.furryfriendsfoundation.org, or by mail to P.O. Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759. There is a giving tree set up at Sisters Feed & Supply; pull a tag to purchase pet food and they'll deliver.