Ornament Spotlight: Snowtop Lodge

Joanne Wright’s beloved Snowtop Lodge series has been a Keepsake fan favorite since it was first introduced in 2005. And while this fun and friendly snowman always has a story behind it, the newest addition to the series is inspired by the newest addition to Joanne’s family: their dog.

“We adopted Gus in January of 2020. It was only later that we found out his breed, an English cream golden retriever, was one of the most popular breeds to be adopted that year!” she tells us. And although working from home for a year and a half was a challenge for many of us, too, Joanne tells us that Gus certainly made that easier as he’s been by her side the entire time.

“I’ve grown up with animals all my life,” Joanne continues. We had a sheep farm, back east. My brothers, sisters and I helped my dad raise everything from chickens and pigs to rabbits and sheep, as well as many cats and dogs!”

And from someone who had a life filled with animals, that should give you an idea of how highly she thinks of Gus when she told us, “He has blessed us in so many ways.”

Take a look below to see a few pictures of Gus, the ornament he inspired and some of his adoptive family.

“Snowtop Lodge #18.” For Keeps 21 Spring 2022: 6