Bark! Here Comes Santa Paws!

By Dan Guarino

On Saturday, December 6, it was the pups’ turn to celebrate the season at the Tailwaggers Task Force’s Second Annual Santa Paws event.

Small dogs, large dogs, dogs young, old and of every breed came out to the holiday decorated Rockaway Freeway Dog Park for the celebration. In partnership with the NYC Parks Department, the area at 83-02 Beach Channel Drive is under the stewardship of the non-profit Tailwaggers group. They are dedicated to maintaining, improving, and adding new play and exercise equipment and other amenities to the dog park, one of the largest in the city.

“Between 35 and 40 different canines participated in the festivities along with their human friends and families. Many were local, but some came from as far as Brooklyn and Ozone Park,” a Tailwaggers spokesperson noted.

The dogs also came in a festive array of outfits for the occasion. There were red and green sweaters, fashionable snowflakes, flannel checks and other designs, barking Santas in red fur trimmed caps and coats, dogs wearing jingle bells, others dressed as presents, elves, at least one Grinch, and a Hannukah-celebrating blue and gray clad pup with a menorah emblazoned sweater.

Despite the chilly weather, the dogs ran, played, frolicked and socialized all across the park. Bundled humans also took the opportunity to chat with other attending pet owners.

A highlight of the event was the appearance of Santa Claus himself, stepping forth into the crisp air with a hearty “ho-ho-ho.” Participants were invited to pre-register for a photo with Santa, with the $5 registration proceeds going to support the event and the Tailwaggers’ mission. Though the allotted slots sold out ahead of the event, four-legged walk-ins were welcomed.

Santa made each pet feel at home as owners often stood by with encouragement and sometimes holding treats to get their pup’s best side for their photo op. Santa even received some doggie kisses. Many dog parents also joined with their furry friend to get a picture with the man in red.

While each was able to take their own phone pictures, each owner also received an official Tailwaggers framed Christmas photo of their pet with Santa. Tailwagger elves also filled festive gift bags with treats, boxes of doggie poop bags and dispensers and a stuffed toy, each neatly tied with a holiday tag/ornament emblazoned with the name of each pup.

“The pups appeared to have gotten the holiday spirit of peace and goodwill,” the Tailwaggers spokesperson noted. “They waited in line politely for their turns on Santa’s lap and the only thing biting was the wind.”

Spotted in the canine crowd were participants from previous peninsula pet events like the Tailwaggers Howl-O-Ween and the Rockaway Dog Parade.

Tailwagger fundraising raffles were held as well for prizes such as Rockaway Theatre Company show tickets.

Their spokesperson added, “In addition to the holiday fun, Tailwaggers did not want to forget the many shelter dogs that do not have the good fortune to have a cozy, loving, forever home for the holidays. [We] used this event to put out a call for donations of blankets, towels, dog food and toys. Rockaway pet lovers answered the call, and a sizable donation was made to BRAT Rescue.”

The non-profit group is “dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned, and abused animals throughout Long Island and Queens.” It is committed to “providing these vulnerable animals with the compassionate care, medical attention, and second chances they desperately deserve while working to find them loving forever homes.” Tailwaggers Task Force president Fred Rodriguez personally presented BRAT Rescue’s Christine Drakatos with all that was collected.

The Tailwaggers gave thanks to “everyone who came out on a nippy December day to give their pups their own special Canine Holiday Cheer. Extra special thanks to Mr. Michael Wotypka, Rockaway Theatre Company Board member, who volunteered to don the Santa ensemble and take to the Dog Park Stage.”

Since being established in 2024 and taking on stewardship of the park, the Tailwaggers Task Force has hosted a number of events to celebrate humans’ best friend and bring pets and their people together. They are actively looking for new ideas for the future.

With the winter holidays still shining bright, Tailwaggers is ready to put their best paw forward into the New Year.

You can find more information on Tailwaggers Task Force and BRAT Rescue on their websites and other social media platforms.

 Photos by Dan Guarino.