Have you ever wondered what Santa does after December 25? At Foster Pet Outreach, Santa becomes mild mannered Aaron Elliot, a technician for Firefly Energy in the F & T Laboratory. Married to Mrs. Claus (Tammy) for 24 years, he shares his home not with reindeer, but with Prissy, a10 year old Pug/Pekinese mix and Chloe, an 8 year old Pug adopted from Foster Pet Outreach.

Aaron joined our group after being recruited by Diane Mockler at a PetSmart outreach in 1998 while looking for a dog to fill the void left by the loss of Scarlett, a Collie/Bassett mix recently lost to cancer. Impressed by everyone’s passion, Aaron and Tammy thought it would be fun to combine their love of dogs with giving back to the community.

Foster parents for 6 years, they had to give that up to ease the stress on our Bassett Hound Grady, who died last year from kidney disease. Aaron served as vice president for one term and member at large for a while as well. Aaron has been our loyal Santa since 1999 when it was held at Landmark Recreational Center and has only missed one year. Ever devoted, Tammy joined him by playing Mrs. Claus, and even sewed his latest Santa suit. This Spring, Aaron traded his red suit for a set of ears, and appeared as the Easter Bunny at the Easter egg hunt. When not decked out in something glamorous, Aaron helps us at outreach events like PetCo Saturdays, and anything else that needs to be done.

With so many years of devotion, Aaron has many fond memories to share, but says his favorite is about finding Arnie, the Bassett mix his home after fostering him for nine months. He had been rescued by Deb Eskridge from beneath a mobile home in Fulton County with a broken rear leg that had been allowed to heal crooked by his previous master. Arnie was taken to our vets with the intention of having him humanely euthanized due to his extensive medical problems, but once the vet looked at him and saw what a wonderful dog he was, they encouraged Foster Pet Outreach to do the extensive surgery needed. Foster Pet Outreach could not afford to allocate that much money for one animal, but was able to raise donations privately. Arnie healed well, and when a foster home was needed, the Elliott’s graciously took him into their home. After nine long months , there seemed to be no one interested in adopting Arnie. Aaron and Tammy came to the conclusion that they should adopt him themselves, but took him to one last outreach at PetSmart. Miraculously, a young couple looking for the perfect pet walked up and fell in love at first site. Arnie found his perfect home finally. While it was hard to give him up, the Elliott’s knew they had made a big difference in that dogs life. Aaron says, “That is why we do what we do....not for awards or write-ups or anything else other than a wagging tail , a lick on the face, and our personal satisfaction in knowing we made a small difference in a large world. I know that we will never be able to save all that need saving, but if we can save some of the dogs & cats in need, then we have fulfilled our original intent and made a difference in some minute way.”

Mr. and Mrs. Claus, we want you to know that you are making a difference in an vast way in the lives of pets in Central Illinois. Thank you for all that you do!

Would you like to enrich the lives of homeless pets in Central Illinois? Call our voice mail staff at 682-1122, or send us an email at fpo_mail@fosterpetoutreach.org.