A Puppy for Christmas? Better think twice….
Holiday puppies are typically chosen hastily and given quickly, resulting in a huge “wow” factor at that moment. The cuteness quickly wears off once the recipient realizes the huge amount of time they must now devote to the puppy, not to mention the ordeal of potty training during a New England winter! For the most part, people and especially children are simply not prepared for the responsibility and care of a puppy.
Children are usually so overwhelmed with all the festivities, gifts and traveling that the needs of a puppy can be lost in the stress. Senior citizens may incur a 12-15 year financial and physical responsibility without long term support, so it’s really not a gift at all. Research should go into picking the right breed, along with training support.
Holidays also present many hazards for puppies & dogs. Imagine a new puppy not yet trained, that thinks everything is a toy! Mistletoe can be extremely poisonous depending on the size of the dog. Tinsel is dangerous if your dog decides to eat it. Watch those thin glass ornaments as well and beware of styrofoam! It will not digest and gets stuck in the intestines.
Instead, why not give a gift certificate or an IOU for a puppy? The recipient can then thoroughly research dog breeds, sizes and energy levels to find the right dog for their personal situation. You can even wrap up some puppy toys they will need when the time is right. Your gift of a holiday puppy will be much more appreciated if it can be brought home after the holidays when everyday life is back to normal.
Happy Holidays to All!
Jan & Joanne