So… our favorite holiday day has dogs in It.

We didn’t totally see this coming, but here we are… Critters + Claus has quietly become our favorite day of the entire holiday season.

This was our second year doing Santa photos at Westward, and what really got us wasn’t just the photos (although yes, they were very good). It was the number of times we heard things like, “We’ve had this on our calendar for weeks,” or “We planned our whole day around this,” or “What weekend do you usually do this? We don’t want to miss it next year.”

That part. That’s the part that made us pause.

Because somewhere along the way, this little event turned into a tradition. A real one. The kind people plan for. The kind that becomes part of how the holidays feel, not just something squeezed in between errands.

We watched families come in relaxed, pets fully aware they were the main character, kids buzzing with excitement, and friends just hanging out and catching up while they waited.

Some folks were brand new, some felt like old pros, and all of it felt easy in the best way. No rush. No pressure. Just a shared moment in the middle of December.

That’s always been the goal with Westward. Not just to be a place to shop, but a place where things happen. Where little traditions start without anyone really trying too hard. Where community shows up in a way that feels natural, not forced.

Seeing Critters + Claus become something people look forward to every year feels really special. Like, unexpectedly special. And it’s a reminder of why we do any of this in the first place.

So yes, this is officially our favorite day of the season. And we’re already looking forward to next year — not because it’s an “event,” but because it’s becoming one of those days. The kind you count on.

Thanks for showing up, planning ahead, and letting Westward be part of your holiday traditions. We don’t take that lightly. Not even a little.