Man's best friend: The reindeer that loves the pub and swaps his sleigh for the train

 

Last updated at 21:51pm on 12th December 2007 Comments

At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking Rudolph had arrived a little early this year.

 

But maybe the absence of the red nose - and a certain jolly white-bearded gentleman - should be a clue.

For this reindeer hails not from Santa's home at the North Pole but from the somewhat less Christmassy surrounds of Enfield, North London.

Five-year-old Dobbey has been raised from birth by 65-year- old Gordon Elliott, a builder who has spent 15 years rearing an array of animals.

"Dobbey is just one of seven reindeer - six are females - I have at my farm," said Mr Elliott.

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And a bowl of water for the reindeer please...Gordon Elliot takes Dobbey to his local for a pint

 

 

"I take him for a walk every Saturday and Sunday down the high street.

"We go to the burger bar, the pub, all over. I do the same with the others."

They even go on the train.

"People do stop and look and think, 'Reindeer in Enfield?' It is certainly a strange sight when a reindeer with 3ft antlers is wandering around the high street in September."

But it is around the festive season that life gets a little hectic.

"My life totally changes at Christmas," said Mr Elliott.

"I take the reindeer around the town to see the schools, nurseries and to Santa's grotto.

"On Christmas morning I dress up like Father Christmas and take Dobbey out through the town to see the children and to raise money.

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Faster than Santa's sleigh: Elliot and Dobbey catch a train for a short ride round Enfield

 

"People in the grotto think their coats are great and people love them.

"His antlers fall off around early December but people are still impressed by him.

"One year I took him into the church during the service on Christmas morning and everybody loved him.

"I have other animals as well - emus, camels, wallabies, donkeys, sheep, peacocks. It's only a hobby really, but I use the animals to raise money for charity.

"People around Enfield have nicknamed me Dr Dolittle."

Mr Elliott, who keeps his animals on a six-acre field and two-acre wood, says they all live in harmony.

"They are all in different pens but they all graze on the field together. It's a real sight.

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Male reindeer have antlers which fall off in early December and regrow

 

"They don't fight each other, they know their place."

And if the locals think Mr Elliott is eccentric, his wife Marion and sons Darren and Harvey might agree.

"They think I am crazy," he said.

"But it is something different to what I do - it takes the stress out of life.

"I have been in the building trade since I was 15 and work can be pressurising. Even though this is work of sorts, I just find it is relaxing."

The real reason Rudolph's nose was red...pissed from drinking at the pub. :P

^:lol: That's a good one.

The real reason Rudolph's nose was red...pissed from drinking at the pub. :P

... or being cloned...