Christmas is going to be a little unusual this year, and we’re all coping with it in different ways.
For some people, facing this difficult time with humor helps them to appreciate what we have in the now, even if the circumstances aren’t ideal.
And what better way to put a humorous twist on Christmas in isolation than with a doggy nativity scene?
Jo Kingston, who runs Wags 2 Riches Pet Services, a dog walking and grooming business in Leicester, UK, already had an idea in mind.
Doug the pug came in for his spa treatment today and his mum told me has recently lost a whole 7lbs on his new diet… so he shared his secret with us… I found it so interesting but the others weren’t quite so keen… 😂😂😂#weightloss #HonestyDiet #PugsOfInstagram #cutedogs pic.twitter.com/AwetDZE7ki
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) January 31, 2018
Back in 2017, she created a dog nativity scene with some of her own pups and posted it on Twitter. Naturally, given how hilarious it was, the post went viral.
Nativity play rehearsal at W2RHQ. 🎄🐶🎄🐶 pic.twitter.com/SXG090QIDI
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) December 19, 2017
The scene depicted a group of pooches, including a Jack Russell, a spaniel and a golden retriever, dressed in bath towels and hand towels and doing a pretty good impersonation of Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men.
If you look closely, you can see the star of the show – a puppy playing baby Jesus himself – in the manger.
The post proved a massive hit, with more than 1,500 retweets and 3,000 likes. Several news outlets shared the post to audiences across the world.
Jo saw her dogs’ fame as an opportunity to put a smile on people’s faces with funny doggy scenes – and why not? She had everything she needed for the job – dogs, props, and probably a whole lot of photographer’s patience!
Over the years that have passed since the viral Christmas post, Jo has shared some absolute crackers on Twitter.
The nativity scene was just the start. On Valentine’s Day, the pups lined up in fluffy pink deely boppers in celebration.
Taking a valentines photo and get photobombed by a French Bull Dog who didn’t want to be in the photo in the first place… 😂😂Typical!! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1ZUVJQaJi2
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) February 10, 2018
On the day of the infamous Royal Wedding, the pups were back again, this time wearing flower garlands and bow ties. One dog even donned a bride’s wedding veil – though we’re not quite sure she compares to Kate Middleton!
We are so excited about the royal wedding here at Wags To Riches, we decided to recreate our own wedding at doggy daycare.. 🥂🎂🌞😊🐶🐶xx pic.twitter.com/PYR6lEXAuZ
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) May 16, 2018
Then came the World Cup, and the pooches were snapped in front of England flags, with a couple of them wearing England shirts.
All ready for the World Cup !! pic.twitter.com/9gqbAvKHjD
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) June 14, 2018
The list goes on and on – there’s a photo of the dogs dressed up in beachy attire as a nod to reality TV show Love Island; the dogs being read a bedtime story; and 2018’s take on a nativity scene:
Dress rehearsal for this years nativity play.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/P6DidaQQHM
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) November 26, 2018
This year, with Christmas being so different, Jo knew she had to recreate her annual nativity shot with something more appropriate to 2020.
It was only right, therefore, that her shot included toilet rolls, masks and hand sanitiser.
Nativity scene 2020… sorry had to be done 😂 pic.twitter.com/vLJBGAlnWT
— Wags to Riches Pet Services (@to_wags) November 15, 2020
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester about her COVID compliant doggy nativity setup, Jo said:
“Everyone finds it funny and it’s cheered people up in these sad times.”
If funny dog pictures are your thing, Jo’s Twitter account is well worth a follow! You can check it out here.
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