Lars is a reindeer hand-reared by Angie Nelson of the U.K. after his mother had no milk. Growing up with the family’s spaniels, he acts a lot like a dog—snuggling by the fire and drinking from their bowls—while also joining a reindeer herd outside.
When reindeer calf Lars was born underweight and unable to get milk from his mother, farm owner Angie Nelson made the decision to hand-rear him from four days old at Home Farm in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, in the U.K. She fed him every two hours and formed a bond with him. Living inside the family home, Lars also grew up with the household spaniels, who shared their basket, toys and water bowl. Now thriving, Lars spends time outdoors with the farm’s reindeer herd but still returns to the house several times a week, where he drinks from the dogs’ bowl, snuggles by the fire, and admires the Christmas tree lights. Angie describes him as “50/50 dog and reindeer,” a lovable character who may even help “Santa” during the holidays.
