Christmas is Coming and so are new Pets!

With Christmas coming, people are out looking for that perfect gift.  A gift that keeps on giving is a pet.  However, in my experience, it is best to let the pet choose the person.  This means that going out and buying the dog or cat or bird that YOU like will not determine that your loved one will feel the same way.  Letting your loved one accompany you and letting the magic happen between your loved one and the pet that is chosen is important.

Happy Valentine's Day 1999

I’ve received ‘gift certificates’ from my husband for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and Christmas with permission to get an animal that my husband thinks that I’ve researched sufficiently (because I’ve been talking about the animal for some period of time with books and articles all over the house).  Even with the research I do, there are always surprises!  So, before you take your friend or family member out to look at the pet that they think they want, it is important that everyone does the homework!!  How big will that puppy get?  Most German Shepherds are in rescues because the people didn’t realize that they ‘would get THAT big.  How energetic will your adult dog be?  While people seem to be able to put up with puppy energy, they expect that once the puppy grows up it will calm down – which is why there are so many Border Collies in rescues or humane societies.  How loud is that bird anyway?  While parrots can make great pets (please research the kind of parrot that will fit what you expect), they can be VERY noisy in the morning and evening when they call to their flock (that would be the people in the house).  They can also be noisy when they hear company upstairs and they want to be part of things.  And they need a LOT of stimulation. 

Happy birthday 2009

Also realize that there are many bills associated with pets.  They need appropriate food.  Cats and dogs need vaccinations.  Dogs need training.  Bearded dragons need crickets (it is surprising how many crickets such a little lizard can consume!!).  Parrots and rabbits need claws trimmed (and some people have the parrot’s wings clipped) and appropriate housing.  Rabbit cages sold in most stores are NOT big enough to house your rabbit full-time.  All animals need toys and some rabbits need specific things to chew on so they won’t consume their cage or your furniture!!  And it seems that rodents and rabbits go straight for electric cords, so you may have to pet proof your home or at least an area in which you will let them run around to play.

Merry Christmas 2000

If you do your homework and know what you want and what to expect you and your pet will be a lot happier!  I also suggest that you check out rescue organizations and humane societies in your area.  There are also rehab places for birds.  These organizations can help you find the pet that will fit your lifestyle.  It saddens me to see the pets listed on Craigslist and Petfinder that are being ‘rehomed’ at six weeks or two years old.  In many cases the reason people are getting rid of the pet that they say they really love is because they did NOT do their homework or they weren’t willing to put in time training or working with the animal listed.  Don’t let that happen to you or your loved one!!

Happy birthday 2012

If a pet is being added to your household I hope that it brings you and your loved one joy and that you bring security and love to the special animal that is chosen!