It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and humans are busily making their lists. To many people, a puppy is the perfect symbol of the true spirit of Christmas… innocence, exuberant energy, wonderment, and unconditional love. And what young child doesn’t beg for a puppy?  Indeed advertisers and marketing experts have capitalized on this idea, and movies and TV have given us the idea that puppies make the perfect, heartwarming holiday gifts. They count on the flood of emotions and spur impulse purchases.  But think of what happens to most of the toys and gifts that start out under the Christmas tree… by Valentine’s Day, most of them have been shelved or broken or traded or forgotten. The excitement wears off, and the once exciting toy becomes something to use, use up, and then discard in favor of something newer.

A living puppy is not a Christmas toy, and the reality is that there is an influx of pets that were given as gifts showing up at shelters around February because the recipients of these wonderful living gifts discover that they really weren’t prepared for a pet in their lives. There are dozens of reasons, but the bottom line is that thousands of puppies wind up with rescue groups or just abandoned a few months after Christmas. If you are considering a puppy as a gift, unless you are TOTALLY committed to the LIFETIME care of an animal, we suggest that you reconsider. Pets are living beings that require daily care, plus expenses for food, obedience training and vet bills, and “pets as playthings” is the wrong message to send to our children!

 

LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

with no thought of their dog filling their heads.

And mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap knew he was cold,

but didn’t care about that.

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

figuring the dog was free and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

gave the luster of midday to objects below,

And what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but Santa Claus—his eyes filled with tears.

He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick….

last year’s Christmas puppy, now thin and sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name,

and the dog ran to him, in spite of his pain.

Now, Dasher, now, Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen…

on Comet, on Cupid. On Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch… to the top of the wall;

let’s find this dog a home where he’ll be loved by all.

In an instant I was sad and ashamed and filled with fear,

for Santa had made one thing quite clear:

The gift of a dog is not just for the season.

We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to find the kids the perfect gift,

there was an important fact we had missed.

A dog should be family, and cared for the same;

you don’t give a gift, then put him on a chain.

And I heard Santa exclaim as he drove out of sight,

“You weren’t given a gift! You were given a life!”

I am a forever dog…not an “until” dog.  I’m not an “until you get bored with me” dog.    I’m not an “until you have a baby” dog.   I’m not an “until you have decide to move” dog. I’m not an “until you have no time” dog.  I’M A FOREVER DOG  If you  can’t give me your forever, then I’m not your dog.  IT’S REALLY THAT SIMPLE.