Puppy, kitten doesn’t make good gift on Christmas Day
The calls have already begun coming in. “I want to get my kids a puppy for Christmas. Can you hold it until Christmas Eve?”
We certainly understand that kids love puppies and kittens, and many would be very happy to see one as a member of the family on Christmas morning.
However, if you take a step back and think about it, there probably isn’t a worse day to introduce a new member of the family into your house.
Animals need routine and take time to adjust to life away from a shelter and into your new home. On Christmas, you’re much more likely to have a house full of people, a big Christmas tree with lights and decorations, unwrapped toys and wrapping paper all around the house. Not exactly the best environment for a young puppy trying to find his way in a new home.
We also have to look back when we were kids. The excitement of opening our presents was one of the most memorable parts of the day. However, we all remember discarding one toy, when we opened a new, more exciting toy. The puppy may end up being the one discarded when the new video game system or new bike grabs little Johnny’s attention.
Holidays are typically stressful times in the home, too. There is nothing like reliving an old family argument that happened 20 years ago with people you only see a couple times of year to make you grab for some more of the spiked eggnog and start looking at your watch hoping it is time to go. Now, add in a little puppy or kitten that knocks over the tree, or pees on the rug, or chews on mom’s new fuzzy slippers that Santa brought her.
Next thing you know, the pet is back at the shelter as fast as someone heading back to the mall to exchange the outfit that Grandma bought them. The kids are heartbroken, the parents are frustrated; although the carpet cleaning guy enjoys the extra money around the holidays from the service calls. Full Story….
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