Dressing a Christmas duck has a whole new meaning when you visit the Zavitz homestead on Falkenburg Road in Bracebridge during the holidays. Don’t expect to have a roast bird and all the trimmings but instead prepare to get up close and personal with Indy, the tame Indian Runner duck.

Indy is a white drake from a species originally found in Southeast Asia and the Dutch East Indies, hence the name Indian Runner. This species of duck is often referred to as a wine bottle or bowling pin with feet and is comical to watch with its fast-paced and very upright waddle. Indy is always moving, a characteristic of this species, and has a funny running motion, making him look like he is always in a hurry. Indy is only six months old and has been hand-raised since June by Marina Zavitz. These ducks can be tamed and live for eight to 10 years. With their long, snake-like necks they make good pets, especially when your owner is a pet artist. Since it’s the season, Indy has his Christmas clothes on — a wreath choker and red satin duck diaper. He hurries around Marina’s studio looking very dapper his dashing gear.

The duck lives with two Shiloh Shepherd dogs, three-year-old Dawson and two-year-old Jasper, along with some rabbits, a French Lop named Lucy and a new stray kitten named Poppy. Marina said she was never allowed pets when she was young living in Toronto but is making up for it now. She has been living and working in Muskoka for more than 15 years with her husband Brian and her two boys, Dylan, aged five, and eight-year-old Taylor.

With a background in animal care from Sheridan College combined with a love of drawing, she started the business Pet Reflections at her home. She opened her studio doors in July 2005 and hasn’t looked back.

Marina draws using artist’s pencils and has learned her art from being around her extensive furry family and a total love of wildlife. She can draw just about any pet and in her work has sketched a pet chicken and a lizard. All a customer has to do is drop off, mail or e-mail a picture of their favourite companion and Marina will create her own personal take in the portrait. Right now she is looking into coloured pencils and learning the art of airbrushing. She is busy working on Christmas orders now in her Beatrix Potter setting, Muskoka style.

This year will be the duck’s first Christmas and there will be a stocking with Indy’s name on it. “Indy will get clothes, probably the latest in duck fashion accessories,” said Marina, while the bunnies, cats and dogs already have their own stockings, which will be hung by the chimney with care. The house is a haven of animal harmony and she doesn’t have to go far for inspiration. All creatures, great and small, call Falkenburg home, sweet, home.