Pets as Presents

It's holiday time, and the question, "Is it ok to give a pet as a gift?" is upon us.

What is more adorable than a puppy or kitten dressed in a Santa costume under the Christmas tree?

While it is a thoughtful gift, we often hear there is a downside to gifting pets. And many times popular opinion is that anecdotal evidence supports that returns of pets from unhappy gift receivers occurs frequently. Thus pets are being abandoned during the hectic holiday season.

Well,  a few years back my husband and I had both been bombarded with the news that pets aren't good presents. Then my husband who's typically logical asks, “How’d you like a cockapoo for Christmas?”

I was indeed perplexed by his statement.

Turning to look lovingly at our cockapoos Buddy and Monroe, I asked rather loudly, “What did you just say?"  Both pups, as if also questioning, cocked their heads to the side and all 3 of us looked in my husband's direction. 

He then explained about an ad he’d seen online. It just so happened that prior to Christmas a young couple was looking to rehome their cockapoo because they could no longer care for him.  We soon after made arrangements to meet with the couple and spend time with the dog. We spent a short amount of time with him and knew he would require our commitment to love for life and receive proper care. It wasn’t like being a dog owner was new to us, as we already had two cockapoos at home. 

And with the anticipation of Christmas in the air, we returned home with another cockapoo.  It was more or less like we’d gotten a present for our dogs as they were terribly excited to meet Motley and shortly thereafter this photo was taken. Ode to the joy of the most wonderful time of the year.