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Santa Paws 2025: The Farewell Tour

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 | By: Terri Jacobson Photography

Santa Paws 2025: The Farewell Tour

A Joyful Goodbye to an Unforgettable Tradition

Eleven years ago, in the back room of Nature’s Pet Salem, I met a man in a red velvet suit who would change my world — and the holiday season for hundreds of families across the Willamette Valley. He had a beard full of sparkle, eyes full of kindness, and a gentle magic that made every dog, cat, and curious creature feel instantly at home.

That was the beginning of Santa Paws — a tradition that grew far beyond anything I ever imagined.

What started as a simple idea became a yearly celebration of joy, silliness, wiggly tails, and holiday spirit. Over the years, families returned again and again, puppies grew up, senior dogs came back for their final holiday portrait, and new pets joined the fun. Even after Santa Paws moved to Phoenix, he returned every year, traveling all the way back to Oregon just to sit with our four-legged friends and make their people smile.

This October marked the final chapter — Santa Paws 2025: The Farewell Tour.

And what a farewell it was.

Santa Claus with a snake draped over his face in a festive setting.
Santa Claus sitting with multiple colorful lizards on his red suit, against a brick wall background.
Santa Claus holding a fluffy chicken, against a brick wall background.

Together, We Made a Difference

Thanks to the families who booked sessions and the generous hearts behind this tradition, the Farewell Tour raised $5,000 for Operation D.O.G., bringing our 11-year total to more than $20,000 donated to local pet welfare nonprofits including Operation D.O.G. and Prevent-A-Litter (PAL).

Over the past decade, Santa Paws and I photographed:

  • 812 dogs
  • 52 cats
  • 9 chickens
  • 8 bearded dragons
  • 5 goats
  • 2 snakes
  • 1 rabbit, 1 parrot, and an entire herd of alpacas

Every one of them brought their own spark of joy.

Santa Claus surrounded by a group of alpacas in a sunny, green field.

A Tribute to Santa Paws

Santa Paws was simply the best of the best.

He had an innate sense of how to match each pet’s personality — whether that meant a quiet moment for a nervous cat, a belly laugh for a goofy pug, or a calm, grounding presence for a big, anxious dog. I watched families walk in excited (sometimes chaotic!), and leave with hearts full and faces sore from smiling.

I will miss Santa Paws so deeply.
He brought joy not just to the families who came to see him, but to me. For weeks after each Santa Paws weekend, I would edit photos with a perpetual smile on my face. Even during Covid, when we shifted the sessions outdoors into the garden, the magic never left. If anything, it grew stronger.

There will never be another quite like him.

About Operation D.O.G.

Operation D.O.G., founded in 2015, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping dogs and their families together by providing financial assistance for veterinary care in Marion and Polk counties. Their support ranges from emergency treatment to chronic medical needs, helping families who face difficult decisions due to financial hardship. By removing barriers to care, Operation D.O.G. prevents unnecessary surrenders, reduces shelter overcrowding, and ensures pets remain safely in the homes where they are loved. Through their mission-driven work, they help preserve the vital bond shared between people and their dogs.

It felt fitting — and profoundly meaningful — for our final year to support a mission so aligned with the heart of Santa Paws.

Santa Claus smiling with two beagle dogs on his lap, seated against a red velvet backdrop.
Santa Claus sitting on a vintage sofa with two small dogs, one in his lap and the other in a small wagon, outdoors.
Rottweiler wearing a red tie on a blue couch with Santa Claus in the background near a decorated Christmas tree.
Santa in a sleigh with two dogs, surrounded by snowy trees and a Christmas tree farm sign.

A Look Back at Eleven Years of Joy

From that tiny back room in 2014 to the wide-open spaces of the garden studio, Santa Paws welcomed every pet who came through our door:

  • The first chicken (bright white!) in 2016
  • The flock of bearded dragons who climbed right into his lap
  • A herd of alpacas who posed better than most dogs
  • The snake in 2022 who happily wrapped itself around Santa’s shoulders
  • The Irish Wolfhounds, the puggles, the seniors, the kittens, the chaos, the calm
  • And the countless tail wags, kisses, and stories shared along the way

Every moment was a gift.

Santa Claus holding a lantern, surrounded by three dogs in a forest setting.
Santa Claus with two golden retrievers and a white dog in front of a wooden cabin.

Thank You for Being Part of This Story

To every family who came once or returned year after year…
To every pet who trusted us…
To every person who made room in their holiday tradition for Santa Paws…

Thank you.
You helped turn a simple idea into a legacy.

Though this chapter has come to a close, the joy we created together will continue to live in the portraits on your walls, in the memories you cherish, and in the pets who showed up ready to make magic with Santa Paws one last time.

Here’s to eleven years of laughter, light, and furry holiday cheer.
And here’s to all the joy still to come.

Santa sitting on a red couch surrounded by six dogs, a Christmas tree down.

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