Think twice before getting a puppy as a Christmas gift
Pets should not be thought of as toys.
It is the perfect Christmas morning scene – little Johnny and Sue coming down the stairs to find a cute puppy with a red bow around his neck under the Christmas tree.
But a puppy as a Christmas gift can have catastrophic and sad consequences. Here is why you should rather not get one:
• It’s the season of joy, merriment and fun. The whole family is home and the puppy gets all the the attention in the world. But what happens when everyone goes back to work and school?
• Children should not see pets as toys. Pets come with a lot of responsibility. The dog must be fed, played with, taken for walks and more. They become long-term members of the family. Before getting a pet, the family should have discussions about it and a plan, such as who is going to take which responsibility.
• The novelty will most likely wear off. After a few weeks, the kids will be back to being glued to their PlayStations and smartphones and the dog will not be getting the attention it deserves.
• The puppy might be a cute little fluffy ball now who sleeps half the time and can be carried in a basket, but soon enough it will grow into big dog with lots of energy and very little brain. Also keep in mind, especially with cross breeds, that though they are cute when they are puppies, they might not be the best looking dogs when they are full grown.
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