Be kind to dogs & animals
Vicki meets Klaus, a Miniature Schnauzer (and one of Santa’s Secret Agents)
I heard a whisper that you are one of Santa’s Special Canine Forces ‘Lookout’ Dogs. Can you confirm?
Who has been talking? I’ll bet it’s that loose-lipped Labrador down the road – she’ll do anything for a sausage and belly rub, the floozy!
Well, since you seem to know it all anyway, yes; I am indeed a proud member of the man in red’s team.
I know it’s all very hushhush, but will you tell us what your role entails? You can trust Observer readers,
So long as you keep it to yourselves – I wouldn’t want Santa to cop a strop with me.
There are Look Out dogs in homes right across the world.
I got recruited last year on account of having a really loud bark, which is what Santa needs.
Our job is to make sure that he can enter homes to deliver presents without being spotted.
To do this, he needs to know that everyone is asleep.
When I hear the sleigh land, if anyone in my immediate neighbourhood is up and about, I give a special coded bark to warn Santa.
We dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans; we can hear sounds four times further away, as well as hearing higher frequency sounds.
Believe me, if the folk four doors up are raiding the fridge for midnight snacks I know about it!
Is this a paid role?
No, of course not! It’s an HONOUR to be one of Santa’s Woof Wardens (informally, that’s what we are known as).
That said, the big man always gives us a few treats by way of a thank you.
He knows that I’m partial to a chunk of whiffy cheddar, so I’m hoping that there’s a sizable portion with my name on it on his sleigh this year.
What else are you hoping for this Christmas?
Oh, but I LOVE Christmas!
All the wrapping paper to tear up, the feasting (I managed to snaffle a tray of pigs in blankets from the dining table last year) and everyone at home and in good cheer.
The more they drink from those green glass bottles, the more good cheer seems to abound.
But what I would like most for Christmas this year is for people to be kind to dogs and all animals.
And unless you are prepared to make a commitment to walking us, training us and loving us for many, many years, dogs are NOT suitable Christmas presents. Please don’t get a dog unless you are certain that you can offer it all these things. My friends at RSPCA Mount Noddy and at other dog rescue organisations are all waiting patiently for a forever home, so my real Christmas wish is that they all get a lucky break this festive season.
But if you can’t offer a home to a dog in need, perhaps you could donate some food, time or even some money? Find out more at www. rspcasussexwest.org.uk