Editor’s Note: While this article was actually written for children, it’s good for adults as well. Or perhaps you have children who want a dog for Christmas – here are some ideas to discuss with them.
Article and pictures obtained off www.loveyourdog.com website
Do you want a puppy more than anything else?
Do you promise to take care of it, train it, and love it forever? That’s great!
Are you ready for a suggestion that will help you be a responsible, caring person? Okay.
Here’s what you do:
Don’t ask for a puppy for Christmas.
If you want to start out the right way with your new pup, then wait until after Christmas. That’s the best time. Or you can get your pup before the holidays arrive, say in November.
Can you do that?
Below are five really good reasons why it’s best to wait just a little while for your new dog.
1. During the Christmas holidays everyone is very busy. Lots of people come over. A new puppy might be frightened by all of the new people, the noise, and even the smells. Just think about yourself. Are there places that scared you, the first time you went there?
2. You will probably visit relatives and friends more than usual during the holidays. Your new dog would be lonely when you are gone. Where will you put him? What will he do while you’re gone? Remember your home is a strange, new place for a young dog. This may be the first time he is away from his brothers and sisters.
3. When a puppy is very young, he learns every time something happens to him. That’s why it’s important that your dog experience good things in his new home. Stress and loneliness can lead to behavior problems that won’t be very easy to fix.
4. Your new puppy will need lots of extra care and attention no matter when you bring him home. Be sure you and your family have the time and energy to spend time with him for feeding, grooming, petting, walking, and training.
5. Your family should share the experience of choosing a new dog. Make sure everyone in your family feels comfortable with and likes the dog as much as everyone else. Don’t surprise a family member with a puppy. It’s best to choose the dog you want with your whole family.
Okay.
So you are willing to wait a little while for your new dog. Here’s a gift your parents can give you while you wait for your new dog. This would be good for your parents to read:
Instead of giving you a dog for Christmas, why not give you the dog supplies now that you will need later?
- dog dishes
- a leash
- chew toys
- a brush
- books about dogs
- gift certificates to pet supply stores
And here’s what you can do while waiting for your new pet:
- Read books about dogs.
- Find websites on the Internet about dogs and read them
- Volunteer at a shelter or humane society.
- Watch great movies about dogs.-
- You can walk your neighbour’s dog.
- Get a stuffed animal
- You can write a cool story about dogs
- Draw pictures of the kind of dog you want
A DOG IS FOR LIFE – NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!
Twas the nite before Xmas when all thru the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
the stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there
The children all nestled all snug in their beds
With No thought of the dog filling their head
And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Knew the dog was cold, but didn’t care about that
When 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 of his chain and into the trash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gave the luster of mid-day to objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Clause with eyes full of tears
He unchained the dog once so lively and quick
Last years Xmas present now painfully sick
More rapid than eagles he called the dogs name
and the dog ran to him despite all 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 will be loved by all.
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa had made one thing quite clear
The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons
In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing we missed
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don’t give a Gift, then put it on a chain
And I heard him explain as he rode out of site
YOU WEREN’T GIVEN A GIFT
YOU WERE GIVEN A LIFE!