Puppies for Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Classic movies, hot chocolate, decorations, and cuddling with your loved ones are some highlights of this magical time. Our children are anticipating the day they can open their presents, and the look that graces their chubby little faces when they see Santa Claus is so precious. One of the most popular things that is on Christmas lists is a puppy. We have all seen it on television. A cute little puppy wrapped in a red ribbon, licking the faces of its new family and wagging his tail in happiness. What a beautiful picture.

Unfortunately, a living puppy does not make a good gift. If you are planning to purchase a puppy for ANOTHER family, please do not do that! This is a decision that must be made by the family and not an extended family member or friend. People must choose a pet that they can include into their daily life with ease. This must be decided by the individual that will care for the puppy. Having a new puppy that does not fit well into your lifestyle will not make anyone happy. So be sure to allow the other party to make this decision.

Puppies are babies that respond to stress in various ways. From more frequent bowel movements to chewing on furniture, these are unpleasant for the puppy and owner alike. Christmas is a very stressful time of year. Shopping, cooking, parties, school plays, and having company over are all things that Americans do every year during the holidays. Puppies must be introduced into their new environment that is calm and stress free. This should be a happy time, not a time when they are played with for a few minutes and then pushed aside.

These babies are also very curious. Their new home and everything in it is new and smells different to them. They may consume things that are scattered around a home that has not been puppy-proofed in preparation for their arrival. A health emergency because of ingested ornaments is not my idea of a cozy holiday. It is not fair to keep the puppy in a cage for your own convenience while you entertain for the holidays. Choosing a better time of year that is less hectic and you have more time to dedicate to the puppy is a wise decision.

Giving a puppy as a gift can also cause financial strain to the person receiving the gift. Without budgeting in veterinarian visits, food, supplies, and medication is something that must be done before bringing a new puppy home. This can cause issues in this new puppy's life, as well as their new and surprised owner.

For parents that are planning on delivering a wiggly puppy on Christmas morning, please reconsider. Your children will need to be a part of rearing this puppy and they may not want that added responsibility. They will have other toys and gifts to play with and will neglect the puppy. This is unfair to all parties. Children should also understand the responsibility necessary for raising a puppy. Or were you going to do that on your own while your children play with the puppy at their own leisure? House training a dog can take a lot of time, energy, and patience. This is usually something that is needed elsewhere during the holidays.

You would not give a person a child as a gift because you know the effort and time that is needed to make this gift thrive and live. Please do not put people and puppies in delicate and possibly unwanted situations this holiday season.

Though your heart may be in the right place, the gift may wind up causing pain to the person you wanted to make happy. Discuss your desire to get them a puppy and let them decide if you are set on getting this gift. But please make sure they are ready and able to accept the gift of a beautiful puppy.