Santa Paws is coming to town
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BY COLLEEN KENNEY / Lincoln Journal Star
This will be their last trip to see Santa.
Every year about this time, usually while driving across town with their three dogs and two cats, Connie and Jay Nemec make a vow: This will be the last year they’ll haul their animal family to the Humane Society to get pictures taken with Santa.
It’s been a Christmas tradition the rural Lincoln couple has dreaded each year.
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Tonight is the final chance to get your pet’s picture taken with Santa in “Pet Pictures With Santa,” a fundraiser for the Capital Humane Society, 2320 Park Blvd.
You can make an appointment by calling 441-4488 or 441-4481.
Wal-Mart One-Hour Photo donates the photos, film and development. Santa (geologist Mark Lohnes) donates his time.
The cost is $25 for one pet, $5 for each additional pet.
December event
If you miss out on tonight’s event, you can get your pet’s photo taken with Santa from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Superior Vet Care, 32nd and Superior streets.
Proceeds also will go to the Capital Humane Society.
Call 438-4500 for more information.
They’ve done it for a dozen years now, ever since Max, the black lab mix, was a pup.
Connie had rescued her (Max is a her) from the Humane Society. Max was the runt. Connie picked her because she feared no one else would.
Max was Connie’s first pet as an adult. She lived with Connie in her first house. When Connie fell in love with Jay, Max fell in love with him, too, at first sight.
Max is old now. Her eyes are bad.
Elvis the cat came from South Carolina, where Jay was stationed with the Marines. He wears a black and white tuxedo of fur.
Jack, the Australian cattle dog, came from the Humane Society about eight years ago. He herds everyone around.
One year, Jack had a major issue with Santa’s gloves. Santa had to take them off.
Audie, the chocolate lab, came from who knows where. They found him about four years ago, lying alongside a road northeast of town.
Audie had panicked when they came close. He ran into the field. They were shocked when they caught him. Scratches covered his skin. He looked as if he’d been beaten, then dumped. They took him straight to the vet. He weighed 40 pounds.
He weighs 80 now and is the picture of health.
Max, the old female dog, has been flirting with him lately, sniffing him and rubbing up against him. Connie and Jay don’t know what to make of this. Max never did this before. Maybe it’s yet another sign she’s going downhill.
Connie is debating whether she should write about Max’s old-age struggles in this year’s Christmas card.
They send the Santa photos with the cards every year, and everyone gets a kick out of them. That’s part of the reason Connie, a public information officer for the Department of Corrections, and Jay, a superintendent at Sampson Construction, go to the trouble.
They also want to support the Humane Society. “Pet Pictures With Santa” raises about $1,500 a year.
Bob the cat rounds out the family.
He came from one of Jay’s friends who owned a dog kennel outside of town. Bob lived with dogs, fears nothing. Not even Santa. Bob is the one Santa always holds.
Jay and Connie get in the photo, too, just to keep all the animals in line.
“It’s generally an hour of chaos,” Connie says. “And then we enjoy the pictures and everyone else does, too.
“Then we always go again.”
This year, for the first time, Connie and Jay took two vehicles to visit Santa. The cats went with Jay in the truck. The dogs went with Connie in the car because it’s low to the ground.
Max can’t jump into the truck anymore.
For the last several months, Connie and Jay have talked a lot about Max, about the decision they dread they’ll have to make about this member of the family.
This year’s picture will be special, they know.
Because this probably will be her last trip to see Santa.
Reach Colleen Kenney at 473-2655 or ckenney@journalstar.com.
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Lynn wrote on November 20, 2008 7:32 am:
PJ wrote on November 20, 2008 7:35 am:
isupportadoption wrote on November 20, 2008 8:39 am:
Animal lover wrote on November 20, 2008 8:57 am:
dogadopter wrote on November 20, 2008 9:02 am:
peb wrote on November 20, 2008 10:32 am:
Do not buy from a pet store when there are hundreds of animals waiting to be rescued at shelters here in Nebraska--that's right--100's in Nebraska alone.
And PLEASE, PLEASE spay/neuter your pets. "
Suzanne wrote on November 20, 2008 12:14 pm:
Hound Lover wrote on November 20, 2008 12:45 pm:
Supported of CHS wrote on November 20, 2008 2:16 pm:
The Capital Humane Society offers all kinds of fun events like this one that you and your pet can enjoy while benefiting the CHS! "
me wrote on November 20, 2008 2:33 pm:
santaneedsanewpairofshoes wrote on November 20, 2008 4:58 pm:
Maybe the accompanying photo will inspire some kind donor to offer funds for a new Santa suit, or at least new hair/beard. They have been looking pretty sad for a long time! Wish I had the $$. "