Castleton's Santa Claus Pet Parade!

Any Santa Claus parade that starts with two sheep has my heart. As in, "You had me at two sheep."

And, sheep that take the time to visit with onlookers - how lovely is that?

I think the folks of Castleton must live right. It's felt like someone must have ordered perfect weather for a Santa Claus parade and it was granted to them.

There were owners who matched their pets and....

..... and ones who where pulled through the village by their ponies.

Pups in pink and...

..... ones dressed in their Christmas finery.

As the parade passed where we were standing, the snow flakes kicked it up a notch. Black coats and dogs are helpful when you want to see snowflakes.

It didn't take long before the snowy road was covered with human and pet footprints.

And, furry brown ponies were looking less brown than when they started the parade.

I wonder if that little red-coated doggie was worried walking so close to the heavy hoofs of the big horses following it so closely. And, do you see him? Santa! Santa was in Castleton this afternoon.

There he goes....

...... and everyone on the route followed him down to the town hall.

As folks milled around, drinking hot chocolate and eating homemade cookies, I took some time to visit with some walkers like this cutie...

.... and this darling kittie. This morning the parade organizers reported that they had signed up a grand total of:

• 116 dogs

• 9 horses

• 3 sheep

• 1 goat

• 4 cats and 1 bird or maybe 2 ducks.
  

As the friendly sheep and dogs and owners mingled....

..... parade organizers gave thanks and acknowledgements to all of the people and organizations who worked and gave to make Castleton's Santa Claus Pet Parade a delightful event.

For a village with a population of 157 (StatsCan 2015), Castleton's Santa Claus Pet Parade was a wonderful future memory. I am so glad we went.