Research shows nine out of ten pet owners in Ireland consider their pooch one of the family.
So we reckon it is definitely not barking mad to bring your hound along to visit Santa Paws.
If the whole household is going down the grotto, and your mutt truly is one of the fam, then it’s only fair they get their day out too.
And December 17th in the Dublin Docklands your dog can get their chance.
Between noon and 5pm there is a Christmas dogs indoor market upstairs at the BrewDog Outpost at Three Locks Square.
Your pet can get papped with SANTA PAWS and you can browse some stalls selling great dog gear to keep doggie comfortable such as snoods, leads, harnesses and there is some good quality dog nosh for sale too.
Humans can order drinks and food from the bar and there are tables to sit down and relax.
The event organisers are Nikki O’Carroll and her partner Robbie Memery who run the popular Instagram account The Daily Cavalier, all about their adorable doggies Coco and Juno.
“There is such a good community of doggy people on Instagram” , she said.
“.We are hoping to make it an annual thing. We are amazed at the interest”, she told us last year, which was the first time the event took place.
For those outside Dublin wanting to give their Fido a Christmassey day out, there are many dog friendly markets nationwide.
A good website to check is www.pawsfriendly.com
In Cork you and your hound can nip along to the dog friendly Marina Market.
Start off with a gamble through the magical woods, race along to the stables and say woof woof to the Reindeers.
You will see Santa’s Elves working away before you take a walkie over to his post office to send off that list of demands before you sniff out Santa.
And in Co Meath, the Sage and Stone market at Duleek, is a doggie paradise
There will be some cool doggy stands and Santa Paws will be sitting patiently in his grotto waiting to meet all the fantastic pups and their owners.
And the Winterval festive market in Waterford has always thrown the dogs a bone – a very dog friendly event.
