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Pets for Christmas
Pets for Christmas Presents
In general, pets as Christmas presents are a very bad idea. Both
for the pet, and for the person receiving the pet. Adopting an
animal into the family is very much like having a child. You
would not just hand someone a baby for Christmas!
Christmas is a time when families get together. There is a lot
of joyful chaos and people rushing here and there with many
things to do. In all this, it is very easy to forget the puppy
needs a walk, or there is a tiny kitten underfoot who is
constantly getting stepped on. In all the confusion new
responsibilities can easily be forgotten, such as walking or
feeding the puppy.
Animals, and especially young animals, thrive on routine. They
like to be fed at a certain time and in a certain place, and
often a certain food. Holidays can be hard even on seasoned pets
as strangers invade their space and special occasions disturb
their daily routine.
For a young animal, this bedlam, however cheerful, can make it
seem like they've just arrived in a very bad place. Their mother
and the brothers and sisters they know, the caretaker humans who
are so familiar to them, all of them have somehow disappeared
and been replaced by a gang of strangers. All their familiar
routines are disrupted. They have to become accustomed to a new
place to sleep, a new food, new place to eat, a new time to eat,
and, of course, when and where they are allowed to go to the
bathroom. How overwhelming this must be for a young animal!
For the person who receives the pet, and their family it can be
equally difficult. They may or may not have wanted the pet at
all. It is not uncommon for a child to beg for a pet that is
inappropriate or that their family is unwilling or unable to
care for. If they get a puppy from Auntie for Christmas, by New
Years the puppy may find itself at the Animal Shelter waiting to
die, or abandoned somewhere to suffer a slower and more painful
death. Never give a pet for Christmas unless you are absolutely
sure that the entire family, everyone living in the home the pet
is going to, welcomes the new addition.
With the best intentions in the world, a child will beg for a
pet and promise to care for it. But children are not in complete
control of their worlds or their time. They are still exploring
their likes and dislikes, and the puppy that was so important to
them last week may be forgotten this week. Playing and walking
the puppy might become too time consuming once soccer season
begins. Children are also not generally aware of the financial
facts of life and pets need vet care, food, toys, shelter, and
all of these things cost money. Money their parents may or may
not have to spare.
Another problem often occurs when someone other than the family
chooses a pet. Perhaps you like very hyper, happy dogs, but the
family in question prefers a nice, quiet animal. The puppy you
would choose is a wonderful puppy - but not the right puppy for
them! Both the animal and the family will be unhappy. The family
is faced with dealing with a dog they do not like very much, or
disposing of him either by finding a more compatible home - or
again, off to the Shelter to die.
A special note about ponies. Every horse person, every animal
shelter, has seen their share of the horrible misery that ponies
endure at the hands of ignorant or neglectful owners. Ponies,
and horses, take a great deal more care than smaller pets. Just
because someone has moved into a new home "with room for a pony"
does not mean that they have the knowledge and funds to care for
such a high maintenance animal.
For the child who is begging for a pony, I suggest that you find
a local stable that gives riding lessons. The most responsible
ones will also include horsemanship in their training. That is,
information about caring for a horse or pony. The child will
learn about shoeing, regular vet care, the importance of regular
feeding and many other things necessary for the well being of a
horse or pony. They will also learn just how much work is really
involved! A gift certificate for several months worth of riding
lessons will allow the family involved to find out just what
they are getting into, and if their interest and finances are up
to it.
Perhaps you have considered all of these things, and know the
family truly wants a pet. Still, the holidays are a very chaotic
time, a terrible time to make a new family addition. Here is my
suggestion. Instead of buying the puppy, kitten, pony or ferret
- purchase one of those wonderful small plush toy versions of
the animal. Pack it into a pretty package with a certificate you
can draw up or print on your computer that says "this little
puppy is to hold the place in your heart for the real puppy who
will arrive (and a good date you have chosen after consulting
with the family)" After the holidays the entire family and the
gift giver can go together to chose the pet they desire. Then
the family will gain a new member who is completely compatible
with them and their needs at a time when they are best able to
greet this new family addition and see to the animals needs as
well.
About the author:
Summer Fey Foovay is an artist,writer and webdesigner who has
devoted much of her life to the love and care of animals. More
of her work can be found at http://demented-pixie.com
Summer Fey Foovay
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