RANKIN INLET - Leave it to a grandmother to know how to spread a little extra magic during the most magical time of the year.

Mary Irkootee displays the pups she gave her three grandchildren as Christmas gifts in Rankin Inlet this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Mary Irkootee made this past holiday season a little extra special when she presented each of her three grandchildren with their very own puppy for Christmas.

Now the three youngsters, Destiny Burrill, 2, Vanna Sigurdson, 1, and John Sigurdson, 2, are waiting for the day they can bring their little pups home with them.

It seems while the parents of Irkootee's three grandchildren had no problem with the kids getting puppies for Christmas, their acceptance did come with one small string attached.

"They told me I had to keep the Christmas puppies with me until they were housebroken, and then they'd let the kids take them home," said Irkootee with a heartfelt laugh that suggested she kind of figured that was coming.

"My house might have a few strange smells these days, but that's not important to me because I can always replace the rug once the puppies are trained. That doesn't matter as long as the kids enjoy being with the puppies and I know they're well looked after, but I wouldn't mind if one of the animal groups wanted to buy me a new rug.

"The pups are learning fast and it won't be long before they're on their way to their new homes."

Irkootee said her grandchildren seem to absolutely adore the pups.

She said they spend a lot of time playing with them when they're at her home.

"When my dog had a litter, I just knew I had to give each of the kids one because they're just so cute.

"The kids are getting along well with the pups - big time - and they always want to go to Granny's now to visit them.

"It's so much fun to see them playing and snuggling with their new Christmas puppies. They just go crazy with them and want to be here all the time, so maybe I shouldn't let the pups get trained too fast."

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