By Chance the Dog
While your heart may be in the right place, giving pets as gifts is not such a great idea. I know my furry friends are quite irresistible and can be happy additions to any family. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen how unhappy everyone can be if it’s decided they should be the family pet for a different family. Sadly, every year there’s a big spike in animal returns right after the holidays, which doesn’t make for a very happy New Year. Here’s the problem. That adorable puppy with the really pretty bow also comes with a really big commitment, one that requires a thoughtful discussion with the entire family before being adopted. We are NOT the latest novelty toy that people lose interest in once the batteries run out.
Having a pet is a wonderful experience, but the potential pet-parents must be included in the decision. And the reality of a 10-to-20- year commitment must be agreed upon by all those involved.Hopefully, all this makes you think twice about gifting a pet.
