Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for December 22, 2009

Are they all indoor pets?

He could also work as a Department Store Santa (a la Miracle on 34th Street) and keep the reindeer to rent them out for special occasions.

In Colorado, we have a small town called The North Pole which consists mostly of a whole bunch of gift shops - most of which specialize in Christmas-style gifts (dolls, trucks, cards, video games, etc.). They have real reindeer who are in a sort of zoo. There is also a “petting zoo” with small animals such as chickens, lambs, a donkey or two, some ducks, etc. They used to be able to take kids on rides on the donkeys. Don’t know if they can still do that or not. Then there is usually an older gentleman with a long white beard who strolls around the place. Most of the time, he is dressed like a lumberjack with a plaid flannel shirt. Sometimes he is dressed in a plaid shirt and overalls, like Uncle Jesse from The Dukes of Hazard. (Denver Pyle, who played Uncle Jesse on Dukes, actually grew up in Vona, Colorado - not too far from where I grew up. He took the name Denver for his stage name because he wanted to be remembered in Colorado. Bob Denver (Maynard G. Krebbs, Gilligan, etc.) used Denver in his stage name for the same reason. John Denver likewise used Denver in his stage name so that he would be remembered in Colorado.) However, beginning about the middle of November and going through about the middle of January, the Santa type guy would walk around in the traditional red suit. The Santa-type would also wear the red suit during the end of June through July - they always had “Christmas in July” sale days and you could get Christmas gifts, cards, etc. for July prices. When I worked in downtown Denver, a bunch of us would always make it a point to take in the July sales at the North Pole Christmas Village every year. But there were a whole bunch of guys with long white beards who had a year-round job, pretending to be Santa at the North Pole. I don’t know what the economic downturn has done to the North Pole - but it used to be a really great place to visit any time of year!

There is a write up about The North Pole Christmas Village here: http://www.santas-colo.com/Default.htm

NORTH POLE, COLORADO History http://www.santas-colo.com/history.htm

I don’t know if Rufus has a catch mode

That sounds like a great place Deborah. Sort of reminds me of Frankenmuth in Michigan. I was only there once but it was great. They have a Christmas store called Boomers that’s open year round. I wonder if I’ll ever get to visit there again.

I’m making another prediction. (Looking into crystal ball) Rufus will soon wake up in his easy chair, sitting in front of the TV. Kitty will be fine and will all have been a dream.

@ Deborah and Maushlalondra - Frankenmuth is the schizzle! Santa Claus, Indiana is also a great place for year-round Santa lovers.

Yep, Bronners in Frankenmuth, Mi - “The World’s Largest Christmas Store”. It’s a great “staycation” destination.

http://www.bronners.com/

Perhaps the old bearded man fattens up kittens for his odd culinary pleasures?

Heavens to Betsy! He doesn’t look like a philanderer to me! You mean philanthropist!?

Maybe Rufus should give up Kitty for the sake of the environment!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091220/sc_afp/lifestyleclimatewarminganimalsfood

If the icecap melts, will Santa’s Workshop sink into the Artic Sea?

Actually, a Philyurbellyist works in a soup kitchen – and provides a great service too!