MOUNT VERNON — If ever Santa had a real-life helper, it would be Dave Brown.
For the past six years, Brown, owner of Dave Brown Photography in Circleville, has made the 120-mile round trip to Mount Vernon to take photos with Santa. The most recent session was at We Luv Pets to support Dogs of Knox Fund.
But, just like Ronnie Milsap’s lyrics in his song “Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World,” “They say all good things must end.”
2026 will be the final year for Photos with Santa and long-time photographer Brown.
Supporters designed the fund initially to assist the Knox County Animal Shelter with medical needs and training of dogs that fell beyond the scope of the county budget. More recently, other organizations have benefited from the fund.
“We have been doing this for 10 years, and it is time,” Marla McCutchen, founder of the annual event, said of ending the effort.
McCutchen said only organizations could receive funds.
“We were not allowed to give funding to individuals,” she explained.
A love for dogs
Brown and McCutchen have slightly different reasons for being involved with the fund, but the motivation is the same: A love for dogs.
“It started about 12 years ago,” McCutchen recalled. “We had a litter of pups come into the shelter, and one of them had a broken leg. I said, ‘we need to get this fixed,’ and was told that there was no money in the county budget for that, and the pup would have to be euthanized.”
McCutchen was not going to allow the small, helpless pup to be put down.
“We raised the funds, and the great part of the story is that the vet who fixed the leg adopted the pup,” she said with a mixture of pride and accomplishment in her voice.
One of the beneficiaries over the years has been the Knox County Animal Shelter. Dog Warden Brian Biggerstaff said that ending Photos with Santa will not adversely affect the services provided by the shelter.
“While we appreciate all that Dogs of Knox Fund has done over the years — not just financially, but many of their members are volunteers for us — at the end of last year, we started the Knox County Animal Care Fund to provide for the medical needs of the dogs,” he said.
Biggerstaff emphasized that the fund administered by the shelter is supported solely by the donations they receive.
“We cannot use any of it for salaries or to pay the electric bill,” he said.
Filling a need
Brown’s legacy of photographing man’s (or woman’s) best friend took a more circuitous route.
“For me, it started back in 2013. I saw a need and opportunity. No one, and I mean no one was taking pet photos,” Brown said.
He knew that shelters were always looking for revenue streams. One shelter he worked with started on a first-come, first-served basis. But that didn’t last long.
“We had one year where the line wound through the store, out the door and down the block,” Brown said.
Brown adapted.
“This gave me the chance to do appointments only, but I still never turn anyone away,” he said.
“Shutter Dave” cited an example after doing some quick math.
“Last year in Mount Vernon, we scheduled every 15 minutes. We should have done 28 to 30; we did 51 because we took walk-ins,” Brown said.
“I had a photographer friend tell me he didn’t do pet photos because there was no money in it. I told him that was fine because I didn’t charge anyway,” he said.
With a mischievous laugh, Brown said he told his colleague, “You can’t believe I do pet photos. I can’t believe you do photos of kids.”
Knox County is not the only beneficiary of Brown’s generosity. He has done 187 events helping animal rescues in 13 years covering several counties.
A trusted partnership
One of the focal points of the event is Santa.
“Dave and I have had pictures with several hundred sets over the years. Dogs, birds and snakes, but I am afraid I draw the line with spiders,” the man in red said. “Working with Dave Brown and the Dogs of Knox Fund has been an honor.”
Unless another organization takes the baton, the final opportunity to have photos with Santa is Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at We Luv Pets, 1433 Coshocton Ave.