Announcing a pregnancy is a big moment.
Naturally, we decided to do it with a poodle.
Right before Christmas 2019, the mall near our place was hosting a “take a picture with Santa” event. Not for kids. For pets. Which already told us this was going to be an interesting evening.
Stephanie was already more than eight weeks pregnant, and we felt it was time to prepare the announcement. We looked at each other and immediately agreed on the only reasonable solution.
Santa plus pets.
Toby would make the announcement.
So on a cold December evening, we brought Toby to the mall. That alone was an adventure. People were lining up with every animal imaginable. Dogs. Cats. Parrots. Iguanas. Creatures I am still not entirely sure were supposed to be there.
And then there was Toby.
A magnificent black poodle walking in like he owned the entire mall. Tail up. Chest out. Completely convinced this event existed solely for him.
People stared.
People smiled.
Toby soaked it all in.
When it was finally his turn, he sat down next to Santa. And to his credit, he tried very hard to behave. You could see the internal struggle. So many new animals to watch. So many smells to process. His attention was clearly divided, but he stayed composed because he knew we wanted him to.
Stephanie placed a small board next to him.
It read:
“Santa said that because I was a good boy, my parents are getting me a baby human. June 2020.”
At first, people just smiled at the dog.
Then they read the board.
Then they paused.
Then the realization hit.
Suddenly, congratulations came from everywhere.
“Oh my god, congratulations.”
“That is amazing.”
“How cute.”
“Congratulations to you both.”
And Toby?
Toby was thrilled.
He stood taller.
He wagged harder.
He made eye contact with everyone.
He absolutely believed every single congratulations was meant for him.
He had no idea what a baby human was, but he was very proud to be getting one.
We left the mall with a caniche royal who thought he had just accomplished the performance of a lifetime. Chest puffed out. Head high. Completely convinced he had nailed his role.
When we later posted that picture on social media, it took off immediately.
To this day, it remains my most popular post.
And honestly, I understand why.
A proud poodle.
Santa.
A baby announcement.
Right before Christmas.
Classic Toby.
Always stealing the spotlight.