"More than 100 dogs and their owners gathered on Saturday for a Christmas-themed party at a pet club in Beijing’s Tongzhou district, highlighting China’s growing pet culture and the deep emotional bonds between urban residents and their animals. The event drew small- and medium-sized dogs, turning the venue into a festive playground where pets could socialise, compete in games and dine alongside their owners. Dogs wore Christmas accessories as holiday music played across the spacious venue, creating what attendees described as a joyful bonding experience. Footage shows dog owners posing for photos with their pets, many dressed in festive Christmas outfits, at the holiday-themed pet event. Event organizer Zhang noted that one of the main attractions was a 'human-and-pet' fine-dining experience, allowing owners and dogs to share a meal. "We have dishes for people, as well as our core offering of fresh pet food. We hope that when dogs come here to play, they can enjoy meals they love — beautifully presented dishes," she said, calling the experience 'mutually healing' for both. The Christmas tree-shaped fresh pet meal was priced at 68 yuan ($9.50), while the shared dinner experience cost around 400 yuan ($56). For many participants, the event was about giving pets memorable experiences. “Dogs can sense the Christmas atmosphere [...] The music and environment feel different. I try to leave memories for every holiday,” Zhao said. Others said the gatherings help combat loneliness for pets left at home during the weekdays. “On weekdays when we’re at work, he can only stay home by himself, which is actually quite lonely," Bai said. “The main reason we came is to let our little one come out and play, to be around lots of other dogs and enjoy the lively atmosphere and the holiday.” "People who don’t have dogs might not understand it," Cheng said. “But when you live with a dog day in and day out, that emotional connection is real. To me, my dog is family.” As pet ownership rises across Chinese cities, events like this reflect changing lifestyles and a booming market for premium pet services, from fresh food to shared dining experiences once reserved only for humans."