Photos by Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Joslynn Lankford, 8, fell over her golden retriever, Daisy, in line at Tanglewood Mall when Daisy got excited by another dog passing by. More than 100 people brought their pets to the mall to be photographed with Santa on Sunday night.

Harlea Chitwood, the daughter of Tammy Chitwood, sits on Santa's lap at Tanglewood Mall on Sunday for a photo, with Rock, a Shih Tzu. "We wanted a picture of our two babies together," said Joyce Williams, Rock's owner.

Bailey, a cocker spaniel owned by Peggy Owens, leans on Regina Loving for a kiss. Bailey came to Tanglewood Mall for her photo session with Santa on Sunday night clad in her "Mrs. Santa" outfit.

More than 100 pet owners waited in line to have their little darlings' pictures taken with Santa on Sunday night at Tanglewood Mall.

The picture process was a slow one, with long waits between shots. But most dogs were patient, sitting or lying next to their owners in line. Some, however, barked at the animatronic figures in the mall's Christmas display.

Most stores had closed by the time the photo shoot began and barking echoed up and down the mall's empty hallways. A few dogs had accidents, but a maintenance worker was quick to clean up.

Heidi Hoffman, of Roanoke, was part of a family group that brought Nanuq, a big white samoy, and Roscoe, an equally big black Labrador, for their annual picture with Santa. Last year, the dogs wore neckties and the picture went smoothly. This year, "the antlers are harder," Hoffman said, watching Santa try to pose Roscoe as the dog sought to escape his headgear.

Santa had changed outfits and covered his chair with plastic so that when he returns to hearing children's wishes, there won't be any pet dander to trigger allergies.

Among those waiting for pictures were many dogs -- and just two cats. Alex, a Salem cat brought by Julian and Katie Difrancesco and their 3-year-old daughter, Annabelle, wore a Christmas sweater as his picture was snapped on Santa's lap.

Afterward, the Difrancescos helped Alex into a heavier coat for the trip back outside. "He won't wear the hood," Katie Difrancesco said.