Reindeer work's OK but very seasonal

REDMOND, Ore. Polly pulling Santa's sleigh?

Yes, the reindeer are on the road again, spreading Yuletidecheer in shopping malls from Virginia to San Diego.

Early Christmas morning, their year's work done, the last teamwill return home to their reindeer ranch here in central Oregon.Soon afterward, it will be antler-shedding season, then a summer atpasture, then breeding season, then another Santa season and anothercommand performance impersonating Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

And, of course, Rudolph.

Basically, theirs is a two-month annual stint. "There's notmuch call for them in July," said Mike Gillaspie, who with …