LEWISTON – The song starts with Dasher.

Eileen Fales started with Prancer.

Ten weeks old when Fales got her, the gray ball of fluff was definitely not about to pull any sleighs. But the standard poodle liked to prance, so the name was a natural.

When Fales got her second poodle, an energetic, apricot-colored girl who twirled and danced, the name came easily. Dancer.

By the time she got her third poodle – Vixen – the trend was obvious.

“They’re my reindeer gang,” Fales said.

A fan of all things Christmas, Fales, a retired hairdresser, starts decorating her Lewiston home in November, putting up two Christmas trees and adorning them with two dozen metal, wooden and porcelain reindeer. She’s hosted grand holiday parties and dressed up as Mrs. Claus to entertain local schoolchildren.

So naming her poodles after Santa’s reindeer wasn’t completely out of character.

Fales got Prancer seven years ago. She had an elderly Afghan hound at the time and wanted a second dog. A friend was supposed to buy a poodle from a breeder, but the friend got injured and wasn’t able to look after a puppy. Fales adopted it.

“She’s perfect Princess Prancy, never does anything wrong,” she said as Prancer curled up delicately in an armchair.

All three dogs fit their names. Dancer leaps and twists in midair when excited. Vixen is a troublemaker, often barking in Dancer’s ear until the other dog finally breaks and chases her through the house.

“Vixen’s the rascal. And the baby,” Fales said.

But Vixen won’t be the baby for long. Fales has plans for a new addition. The puppy hasn’t been born yet, but she already knows the name: Blitzen.

If possible, Fales would like to get four more after Blitzen – eight dogs named after the eight reindeer.

That’s a lot of dogs. But Fales, who has both rescued animals and shown dogs over the past 30 years, once had six Afghan hounds. Eight poodles wouldn’t be a whole lot different.

Whether or not she gets Dasher, Comet, Cupid and Donder (or Donner), Fales is happy with her current crew. To honor them at her Sabattus Pond camp, she’s having a special sign made: “Reindeer Retreat.” Painted poodles will run across it.

Have an idea for a pet feature? Contact Lindsay Tice at 689-2854 or e-mail her at [email protected]