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Helpful Hints For Animal Additions: A Sensible Guide For Gifts From The Heart By Carolyn Artale I still remember that Christmas morning so many years ago. I was only seven, but I can feel it as if it was yesterday. For two months my sister and I determindedly set about convincing our parents that the ultimate Christmas gift, and the ONLY one we truly wanted, was a new, sweet, playful puppy. We got so involved in our dream, we were picking out names, circling dog beds and toys in catalogs, and seeing puppies in our sleep. Then came The Day - Christmas morning. We both rose at dawn; and I vividly remember creeping eagerly to the stairway, craning to catch a glimpse of what lay below by the Christmas tree. We couldn't wait; together we bolted into the living room right past the sudddenly boring boxes, and looked anxiously around for our new puppy. Then we became very quiet, listening for the tell-tale sounds: a bark, a growl, a whimper... nothing. Our parents greeted Christmas morning with the long faces of two dejected girls staring down angrily at them. We were determined to remain heartbroken forever and never forgive them. Of course they tried to warn us all along that a puppy was out of the question. And looking back I understand their reasons, even agree with them. They were in reality acting wisely, for buying a new dog as a gift for somebody takes time and consideration of many important factors. Yes, the kids are "dying" for a dog. But have the basic needs of this dog been thoroughly thought through? A new puppy requires tremendous energy, patience, and time. Not to mention a warm bed, proper training, good food, and lots of attention. Most children, or any person who has never owned a dog, aren't aware of the commitment it involves. Does the family have the financial resources needed for proper care of their new addition? Routine vet care, vaccinations, and nutritional needs aren't too costly, but unforseen problems can crop up any time, with any dog. A sudden need for medicine or even surgery can become expensive quickly. Also, who will be the primary caregiver of the dog? Parents need to understand (as mine certainly did!) that young children just can't be expected to assume complete control over the dog, especially if it is a puppy. They need to be housetrained and obedience-trained, which takes a little research and knowledge, and lots of patience! Time is needed daily for regular exercise, not just for health reasons, but to give your dog "playtime" and a chance to bond with family members. If all of these issues have been carefully considered and it is decided that a dog would indeed make a wonderful new family friend, I'd like to add one more caution. Holidays, birthdays, or relocating a residence are all naturally stressful times, for both humans and animals. Coordinating a new dog's arrival with the mayhem of people, activity, and excitement that these events bring could be a mistake. A lot of thought and preparation need to go into the type of dog you take home, and ideally the owner and caregiver should be involved in the process. You want to make sure you make the best match in all areas - from personality to compatability to maintenance requirements. If you really want to surprise someone on a significant day (i.e. a birthday or holiday), you could always do what I decided to do for my son this past Christmas. On Christmas morning, he discovered a trail of exciting hints; packages containing dog toys, a bed, a food & water bowl, etc... And after the holiday madness died down and we settled into the quiet month of January, we went out and made his dream a reality. Together. Safely, smartly, slowly. And we now have a warm ball of cuteness and intelligence added to our family circle whom we all love dearly. And she loves us right back! |
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