Shelter Dogs Choosing Own Christmas Presents Delights Internet: 'Magic'

It may be hard to believe that these dogs are without a home—judging by how happy they are.

But it's that time of the year, where Santa Paws pays them a visit as part of the shelter's annual tradition, which involves lining up hundreds of generously donated dog toys in the charity's rehoming center in Dublin and allowing the dogs to choose their own Christmas present.

One of the pups featured in the video is five-year-old Tegan, a crossbreed who arrived at the shelter in July 2022, while pregnant with eight puppies.

"Sadly, her puppies have all been adopted a long time ago and she's still with us and patiently waiting for her forever home, which makes her one of our longest residents," communications manager Paulina Padlo told Newsweek.

A screenshot from the video showing Tegan, who is described as a "gentle giant", chewing on a blue ball. A screenshot from the video showing Tegan, who is described as a "gentle giant", chewing on a blue ball. YouTube/@DogsTrustIreland

"Despite her size, and all she's been through, Tegan has a sweet and gentle temperament, she is as timid as a mouse and takes time to get to know people.
"In the video, she picks up one of the smallest toys, a blue ball, and immediately throws it at her favorite carer to play with her."

Currently, Dogs Trust is home to over 200 dogs, some of which can be seen in the video that has been shared to their YouTube channel (DogsTrustIreland).

The clip captioned: "Magic fills the air as every dog gets to pick their very own Christmas present!" also features a variety of crossbreeds, collies, bulldogs, and terriers, each with their own story and charm, waiting for someone to give them a second chance.

The heartwarming footage captures the dogs picking out their own toys—one by one—showcasing their boundless excitement and unique personalities. This delightful glimpse into their lives also highlights some of the dogs currently available for adoption.

A husky sitting behind a mountain of toys that were donated to the shelter. The dogs are still available for adoption. A husky sitting behind a mountain of toys that were donated to the shelter. The dogs are still available for adoption. YouTube/DogsTrustIreland

Take Brenny, for example—a white dog who kicks off the video by selecting a crocodile teddy, which he joyfully plays with. Nala, on the other hand, takes a more exuberant approach, enthusiastically launching a pink toy around the room. While the dogs have a wide variety of toys to choose from, some, like Noelle—a charming border collie—opt for simplicity, finding joy in a classic ball.

Padlo added: "While we remain worried by the high number of dog surrender and abandonment cases, Santa Paws Day continues to bring a lot of joy to Dogs Trust staff and many of our supporters, and of course, the dogs in our care.

"It's truly heartwarming to see the dogs enjoying their special day, picking out their Christmas gifts, and simply being dogs. It's a powerful reminder of the joy they bring to our lives and the fact that they all deserve a chance at finding loving homes where they can flourish."

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