Not every Santa sits with an alligator or mini-horse, but one local friend of Kris Kringle makes time to every year.
Santa Scott, whose real name is Scott Diethorne, makes time every Christmas season to hear holiday wishes from kids, adults and their pets. Whether working at the Oxford Valley Mall or at local pet shops, Diethorne has been photographed with ducks, goats, chickens and, of course, an alligator and mini horse along with plenty of dogs and cats.
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By now, the veteran Santa said nothing phases him in terms of strange animals and wishes.
Diethorne said pet nights are popular around Christmas and he can easily draw a line of dozen of pet owners waiting to get their photos with Santa.
“I’m having just as much fun as the kids or the dogs,” he said.
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Diethorne has been playing Santa since he was 25 when his mom made him his first suit.
“I don’t care about the perfect photo,” Diethorne explained. “As long as the kids walk away feeling like they really talked to Santa, I’m happy.”
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During the majority of the year, Diethorne works as a truck driver but during the few months of the holidays, he can relax and be Santa. In fact, he views it as a vacation.
