Photos with Santa Not Only for Kids

Santa Claus gave special clearance to local, four-legged friends to visit him after closed on Sunday night.

More than 50 dogs patiently wagged their tails in line, waiting to get a photo with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.

It was the first time Bella, a four-year-old Shih Tzu, visited Santa at the mall.

"She will behave if Santa holds her," said Lily Brindle, Bella's owner. "She's a little ham, so she should be OK."

Stephanie Bianchi, manager of the South Hills Village Santa set, brought her dog, Hanna, back to pose with Santa for a second year.

"We got a good photo last year and wanted to come back," Bianchi said.

Vera Tuggle, of Upper St. Clair, and Danelle Santoro, of Brookline, had their hands full Sunday night. They brought five rescued Yorkshire Terriers to sit on Santa's lap.

"We come up every year and it's the same Santa every year," Tuggle said.

And Santa, who has visited the mall every December for 12 years, appeared to be enjoying the night as much as the dogs and dog owners. Between photo shoots, he pet the fury fellows.

The mall's new pet store, , sponsored the Santa photos and provided free treats to the pooches. Manager Mike Olenchock said he's working with the mall to hopefully provide opportunities for pet owners to shop at Moochie & Co. with their pets after the mall closes.