JO Wade, 47, a property manager, lives in Rushden, Northamptonshire, with husband Jerry, 48, a transport manager, daughter Lois, 19, son Harry, 17, and dogs Otis, three, and Vincent, two.

“Browsing at an expensive local shop, I couldn’t decide between the luxury Advent calendar, personalised blanket or super-soft scarf.

Then I shrugged, smiled and bought them all, picturing the happy faces on Christmas morning. But I wasn’t splashing out on my husband or kids – these gifts were for my dogs.

Growing up with two pets – Twizzle, a tortoiseshell cat and Shula, a rough collie – I’d always adored animals.

My husband Jerry, who I married in 2003, was an animal lover, too, as were our kids Lois and Harry. 

We were desperate for a dog, but with a tiny garden and Jerry and me working full-time, it wouldn’t have been fair.

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Then, in June 2019, I was given the chance to work from home and we moved house to a property with a bigger garden. Finally, the time was right. 

After a lot of research, we decided on a labrador and found a local breeder selling puppies for £1,500.

In early March 2020, we visited them, and when Otis rested his head on Lois’ leg and looked up with his beautiful brown eyes, my heart melted. 

When lockdown hit a few weeks later, our world shrank, and Otis became the centre of it. He gave us so much joy when everything was scarily uncertain. 

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That Christmas, the country was heading back into lockdown so we couldn’t see friends or family, and as Lois was then 16 and Harry 14, they were past the age of festive magic.

So I decided to spoil the fur baby of the family. I bought him a bauble for the tree that said: ‘Otis’ first Christmas’, and a stocking with a paw on it. It was so much fun filling it with little treats.

In May 2021, we got our second labrador, Vincent, for £1,000, and the pair of them got on well. Then in early December, Otis had a seizure and almost died.

Thankfully, he made a full recovery, but I was determined to spoil them both that Christmas.

Each dog got a personalised stocking with toys, a matching collar and their own tree, costing around £60 each. It felt magical being Santa to the pups.

By December last year, they’d become the focus of the festivities. I even forgot to pick up Lois from work one evening, as I’d taken Otis and Vincent to look at the Christmas lights and I lost track of time! 

Cuddling the boys on Christmas morning as they munched the contents of their doggy cracker while wearing Santa hats, I knew they were worth every penny of the £150 I splurged on them – the same as I’d spent on the kids! Friends and family thought I was mad.

This year, while the kids have got a cheap chocolate Advent calendar from the supermarket, the dogs have a £24 one they share, from a posh doggie food brand.

And I’ve already spent hundreds on gifts for them, buying everything from blankets and Christmas hats to delicious treats and toys.

I’ve also spent £20 on Superstar Pets, an animated video of Otis singing in Santa’s sleigh, which is so adorable, I can’t stop watching it.

Both boys will have a special pre-Christmas grooming session costing £25 each, with a wash and blow-dry, ear clean and claw clipping.

By Christmas afternoon, as they’re tucking into a gourmet three-bird feast, I’ll have spent around £200 on each of them.

The kids, meanwhile, will get £150 in cash and some socks, and Jerry will get a £25 ticket to see a comedian.

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I put a lot more thought into what to buy the dogs than my family, but luckily, they don’t mind.I’m already planning to save up next year for two £300 luxury dog beds. 

I know it seems strange to other people – although nobody has openly criticised my spending on the dogs – but Otis and Vincent are bundles of pure Christmas joy, and you can’t put a price on that.” 

Btw

Brits will spend around £873m on presents for dogs and cats this Christmas.*

Three in 10 UK-based dog owners enjoy pulling a Christmas cracker with their furry friend.**

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