AP Photo/The Morning Sun
Gizmo, a six-month old Yorkshire terrier, waits in owner Cathy Norris' arms Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, while Santa Claus poses with other pets in the background at Meadowbrook Mall in Pittsburg, Kan. The event was sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Humane Society with proceeds going to fund the society's shelter and projects.
AP/Daytona Beach News Journal
Lisa Eriksson and her dog, Virgil, a mixed breed, attempt to have their photo taken with Santa Claus, played by Bob Morrison, at a pet store in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006.
AP Photo/Idaho Press-Tribune
Tammy Ferguson, of Boise, Idaho, holds a pair of domestic rats near the line to visit Santa Claus at the Claus 'n Paws event at Zoo Boise, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006. Ferguson, a volunteer at the zoo, raised the two rats from the age of eight-weeks, so they would be tame when out of their cages.
AP Photo/The Waterloo Courier
Diamond, a pet hamster, peeks around Santa's shoulder towards the camera during Paws & Claus Pet Night at College Square Mall, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Sunday, Dec. 1 2006.
AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau
A 15-year-old seal namde "Linda" kisses Santa Claus at the Marineland aquatic park in Antibes, southern France, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
AP Photo/The Great Falls Tribune
Bear, a 10-week-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian cross, chews on Santa's mustache while getting his picture taken at a Petco store in Great Falls, Mont., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006. The "Santa Paws" portraits are a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Cascade County.
AP Photo/San Francisco Zoo
Uulu, a 25-year-old polar bear, opens a gift-wrapped box filled with fruits and vegetables at the San Francisco Zoo, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, in San Francisco.
AP Photo/CTK, Alexandra Mlejnkova
A female leopard named Sauraha plays with Christmas decorations at the Zoo Dvur Kralove nad Labem, in the Czech Republic, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.
AFP/Getty Images
Children in Santa Claus outfits ride a camel past the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, on Dec. 4, 2006. Christmas is greatly enjoyed in India, despite the fact that most of the population is Hindu or Muslim.
