MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — All is right in the north pole again, after being denied the privilege to sit on Santa’s lap, one little girl from California finally got to meet the big guy.
Earlier this month, Abcde Santos -–pronounced “Ab-suh-Dee”– went to the mall with Pup-Cake, her pit bull service dog and was turned away by Santa himself because, “those dogs eat people.”
According to Pup-Cake’s Facebook page, written from his point of view, all Abcde wanted to do was ask Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Undeniably upset, Abcde’s mother made a complaint.
The Noerr Programs, which provides digital event imaging and marketing services–including photos with Santa–to shopping centers nationwide, apologized for the incident. The company’s CEO, Judy Noerr, wrote a post on the Facebook page for The Shops at Mission Viejo saying that the company would present a Santa event especially for children with special needs, called Caring Santa. That program started in 2011 for kids with special needs, and it can be found in 119 locations across the U.S.
True to their word, Abcde finally got to meet Santa and asked him the question he asks others so often. Pup-Cake wrote on Facebook, “My girl did it!” And Santa’s answer? He “wants all the children of the world to be happy.” The management team for The Shops at Mission Viejo went all out for the event offering every single family that attended the event free photo packages after Abcde’s family only request was to donate their free photo package to another family in the special needs community.
The management team has also decided to team up with Noerr Programs to provide an additional caring Santa event on Dec. 14, so even more children in the special needs community get to have their wishes fulfilled.
Pup-Cakes writes, “The Noerr program is ‘truly honored’ to present a sensory-friendly and compassionate holiday experiences. If you have a little one that is not ready for the hustle and bustle of the 9-to-5 Santa experience then this is your chance to create your own holiday memories.”
Lastly, Pup-Cake added a photo of his beloved Abcde and Santa saying “I would like to bark that it was offered that I join in the photo by Santa himself! However I am waiting for my girl on the side, where I was always going to be. While we are a working team, I would never want to impose on somebody while they are doing their job, even the big guy himself!
