These adorable festive doggy scenes are the work of two sisters – who pose up their cockapoos in festive scenarios for their Christmas cards.
The stars of the show – cockapoos Fudge, six, and Poppy, eight, – have posed up as Mary and Joseph, two of the three kings and Santa and his reindeer.
Elder sister, nutritionalist Becky Ellison, 27, first came up with the idea four years ago when she was chronically ill while suffering with lyme disease for 12 years.
For fun, Becky and younger sister, Hannah Bunce, 24, first re-enacted the nativity scene with Mary (Fudge) and Joseph (Poppy) and a dog teddy as baby Jesus and sent them out as Christmas cards.
Recently married Becky, from Leyland, Lancs., said: “Everybody loved the cards so we decided to do it again the following year and then it snowballed from there.
“Now everyone looks forward to receiving their cockapoo cards and wonder what we’re going to do each year.
“Maybe it is a little bit crazy but it started when I was ill and needed a project, so it was funny at the time.
“We also adore our dogs, so it is a lovely thing to do.”
The following year they created another nativity scene with the three kings, that year featuring a guest appearance from a friend’s dog – Tilly the four-year-old cavashonn, also known as Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross.
After that came Santa (Poppy) in his sleigh being pulled by his reindeer (Fudge), again with Tilly.
For the latest cards the dogs were posed up in a Christmas wedding scene, as both sisters have been recently married. Poppy is the groom.
The sisters start their project in September each year so the cards are ready in time for Christmas.
Poppy was the family’s original dog, so when Becky moved out from home she got a cockapoo of her own and called her Fudge.
Poppy is Waitrose manager Hannah’s dog and Fudge is Becky’s and the pooches are also sisters.
Fudge was even honorary bridesmaid at her owner’s wedding in September this year.
Poppy was a bridesmaid at Hannah’s too.
Becky said: “Our dogs are so lovely, it seems fitting that we use them to spread some festive cheer as they always brighten up our days.
“Poppy and Fudge saw me through some tough times and they are our world.”
