Tucker seemed to be following the conversation as the chocolate Lab's guardian talked about what he traditionally stuffs in his dog's Christmas stocking.

"He gets bones, a new collar .." said Peter Hoglund, 26, of Boulder, before he was abruptly interrupted by a tugging leash. Tucker anxiously led Hoglund over

Dayla the dog poses for a Christmas photo Saturday with Santa and Posy, the 5-month-old daughter of Dayla s owners, at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. The 2323 55th St. shelter is offering another photo session today, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )
to a corner of Farfel's Farm on Friday afternoon, where the dog suggested some other stocking stuffers -- stashes of packaged jerky strips and rubber bouncy balls that were all at nose-level.

Christmas has gone to the dogs. And cats, too.

It's that time of year when the furry, four-legged friends get extra treats and jingle bells on their collars, and dogs even get a pass if they lift their legs indoors (because, hey, somebody put a tree in the living room).

Eight in 10 pet owners say they give their pets holiday and birthday gifts, according to a survey from the American Animal Hospital Association. Another 21 percent sometimes dress their pets, according to the association.

Tucker, the chocolate Lab, will go hunting for a Christmas tree with his guardians, Hoglund and Madeline Vogenthaler, 26. That lucky dog also gets a wreath made of dog bones.

Sales of toys, treats and collars spike this time of year, said Jeff Richey, co-owner of Farfel's Farm. The Pearl Street shop carries gifts and food for pets -- including a Pez dispenser that pops out dog treats and a toy mouse that can skeddadle across the floor for a cat to chase.

"People take their dogs shopping for their own gifts -- asking

Photographer Laura Hall gets help from Elissa Smith, left, and Amy Morgan in gaining the cooperation of pets sitting for a photo shoot Saturday with Santa. ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )
them 'Do you like this toy?' or 'Do you like this treat?'" Richey said. "It's a real interactive thing."

Marc Bekoff, a research scholar at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver, said pets love the extra attention around the holidays, as their guardians tend to spend more time around the home.

"They don't know it's the holiday season, but they know something special is going on," Bekoff said. "It's a great time for bonding with your family .. it's acknowledging that these animals have emotions and feelings. You want to treat them well, and by treating them well, you feel good."

On Mitzi Pollitt's mantle, there are stockings hung for "Halle," "Cammy" and "Reese" -- her three Labradors.

"They are part of our family," she said. "All of our kids are grown up, so they are our babies."

She stuffs the stockings with treats, and says the dogs get excited when they get new toys.

At the Humane Society of Boulder Valley this weekend, pets showed up to sit on Santa's lap and pose for photos.

Spokeswoman Kim Sporrer said the annual event is one of the Humane Society's most popular offerings.

Pet portraits will be available again today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the 2323 55th St. shelter, with print packages starting at $40.

"We hope people involve their pets with their holidays, because a lot of people think of their pets as part of their families," she said.

Jason -- a flat-coated retriever and border collie mix -- is on Santa's "nice" list this year. His guardian, Connie Conerly, of Longmont, said she'll get him one of his favorite things: a rubber ball frozen with peanut butter stuffed inside.

"He has a stocking, but I always get him treats year-round," Conerly said. "He gets extra toys around Christmas."

Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at 303-473-1132 or anasb@dailycamera.com.