SANDPOINT — Every dog, they say, has its day.

And, for a Welsh dog owner, that day is Christmas for his pet Dachshunds.

Each year Liam Beach — an animal management graduate from Cardiff, Wales, coaxes his four-legged family members into Dachshund-sized holiday sweaters. The pups, now numbering 16, are then posed on his home’s staircase for a family photo.

In a story on goodnewsnetwork.org, Beach reports that the elaborate yuletide photo requires a full bag of treats and almost an hour of patience.

But, because of his patience and the aforementioned bag of treats, Beach was able to capture a portrait of the pups all dressed up in their Christmas best.

This is not the first time that the Welsh man has taken a Christmas photo of the pups on the stairs, the website notes.

However, his previous effort only took about 10 minutes; this Christmas photo required more work because of the doggie sweaters.

“It took about 45 minutes to get the picture because when the dogs were dressed in their outfits, they thought it was time to go walking and [they] all went crazy running around the house,” Beach told reporters, according to the website. “So, I had to calm them down before putting them on the stairs.”

With pets becoming more a part of our families, appearing in special photos, getting extra love and attention and even earning their own Christmas stockings and presents, it’s clear the four-legged members of our family have a well-deserved spot in our hearts.

Frankie, my food-obsessed Siamese cat,  would be content with a chicken dinner (or turkey, or pancakes, or well, anything it seems as long as it is edible. My sister sends him a Christmas Advent calendar that I have to hide away because when he got his gift last year, I had to leave town for something and while away, I got a photo from a friend who was looking out for him and the box with the remaining gifts had been shredded.

He will again get a stocking, likely with a catnip toy or two, and a present, again more toys. Although, in typical Siamese cat fashion, he will demand that I open his presents for him first and help him play with them … but only after he is given a generous dinner of turkey or chicken.

In honor of your own beloved pets, why not consider donating what you can to the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Toys for Tots drive? Like our pets, all the children in the community deserve to have a Christmas, too.

To date, the campaign has raised $5,800 toward its $75,000 goal to provide Christmas presents to those in need in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

If you know someone who needs help, make sure they sign up so Christmas is a happy holiday for everyone in the community. The deadline this year is Dec. 12 to sign up and Dec. 13 to pick up toys.

Each year, the Lions team up with local businesses and residents through Toys for Tots to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

Funds raised go toward purchasing new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Every Christmas, the Lions help almost 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.

This year’s goal is $75,000 to ensure all area youth receive a present. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any coin jar around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention that in your note.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Each day during the drive, donors’ names will be published along with the amount of their donations. A running total will be included to help the community know where the Toys for Tots campaign stands.

If you can, please consider donating. Every penny, every dollar adds up, and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. Additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community’s generous support.

In Sandpoint, toys and donations can be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, Mr. Sub, Columbia Bank, Connie’s Cafe, Serv-A-Burger, Mountain West Bank, Pivo Peaks Alehouse, Sandpoint Family Medicine and Urgent Care, and the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

In Sagle, toys and donations can be dropped off at Buckin’ Beans and Encoder Products (in the front lobby, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

In Ponderay, toys and donations can be dropped off at Alpenglow Salon, Walmart, North 40, Columbia Bank, Arnie’s, Better Together Animal Shelter, Community Resource EnVision Center, Litehouse, Elite Tire, Vinnie Todd’s Barbershop, Hoot Owl, Papa Murphy’s and Mountain West Bank.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, [email protected] or bit.ly/SandpointLions