Think it through
Who couldn't resist a cute, cuddly puppy or tiny, meowing kitten?
They're so adorable, with their tiny paws and eyes that make us melt. And how adorable would it be to find such a creature under the tree on Christmas morning, complete with a red bow around its fuzzy neck?
A perfect holiday gift, right?
Maybe not.
During the holidays, many kids and adults think that a pet would make the perfect Christmas present. But is this a wise choice?
Many times, buying a puppy or kitten is an impulse choice. We don't think about the future, how we'll have to paper-train that dog, take him for walks every day, and buy endless bags of dog food.
Or we don't think of cleaning the cat's litter box every single day. Dealing with the hair — the constant hair! — that's all over the couch. Coaxing Kitty to stop clawing up the curtains.
See, the problem with these cute Christmas gifts that look like such bundles of joy under the tree is this: They grow up.
That adorable black lab puppy with the big brown eyes will one day weigh 80 pounds and tear apart your house if you don't exercise him enough.
Getting a pet is a huge responsibility — one that people sometimes don't think through.
Just visit any area animal shelter for evidence of that. Shelters are full of adult dogs and cats who were left by the side of the road or dumped their by their owners when the responsibility got too much to handle.
Everybody wants a kitten or puppy. Nobody wants an adult.
So if your child has been clamoring for a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present, stop for a minute. Think this through. Are you truly ready to bring another creature into your family? Because that's what you're doing.
Please resist the impulse buying of pets during this holiday season. They're not toys that you can return back to the store if they don't work.
— JENNIFER WILSON
