Richard Hamilton

The supermarket chain Waitrose said that compared to this time last year, Christmas pet sales are up 964%. Meanwhile, at the department store John Lewis, purchases of Christmas dog toys increased by 98%. Another survey says almost half of the UK's cats and dogs are expected to receive a present this year. Presumably, the other half have just been naughty.

The supermarket chain Waitrose said that compared to this time last year, Christmas pet sales are up 964%. Meanwhile, at the department store John Lewis, purchases of Christmas dog toys increased by 98%. Another survey says almost half of the UK's cats and dogs are expected to receive a present this year. Presumably, the other half have just been naughty.

And instead of the often embarrassing work Christmas party, many dog owners are resorting to bespoke Christmas events for their hounds, like this one in Manchester in the north of England, where sausage dogs, or dachshunds, got to wag their tails, admire each other's woolly jumpers and sniff their Christmas baubles.

And instead of the often embarrassing work Christmas party, many dog owners are resorting to bespoke Christmas events for their hounds, like this one in Manchester in the north of England, where sausage dogs, or dachshunds, got to wag their tails, admire each other's woolly jumpers and sniff their Christmas baubles.

Again, good for the dogs, it's socialising, nice friendly event. And that event was organised by Marcus Ackford, whose company, Pup Up Cafe, arranges pet parties across the UK.

Again, good for the dogs, it's socialising, nice friendly event. And that event was organised by Marcus Ackford, whose company, Pup Up Cafe, arranges pet parties across the UK.

The economic statistics still paint a grim picture of life in the UK. One million people in the country now rely on food banks. And in 2022, as Britain emerged from the Covid pandemic, inflation peaked at 11%. But lockdown also saw a rise in pet ownership. Now it seems Britain truly has gone to the dogs.

The economic statistics still paint a grim picture of life in the UK. One million people in the country now rely on food banks. And in 2022, as Britain emerged from the Covid pandemic, inflation peaked at 11%. But lockdown also saw a rise in pet ownership. Now it seems Britain truly has gone to the dogs.