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| Yes | 19% | 66 votes | Total: 341 votes | |
| No | 81% | 275 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesWhy not? My wife has been saying for some time now that she would love a new dog. I really wanted to get her a new dog for Christmas and I think it would bring smiles upon smiles to her face considering the fact that she lost her dog Bandit in 2007 a week before Thanksgiving. That was a sad evening, but Bandit was 12 years old and he lived a great life as he made my wife and her family including myself very happy. It has been a year now and I truly believe that for Christmas she really would love to have a new dog. Bandit was a Chihuahua-Poodle mix and he was wonderful.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving a pet for Christmas. I do not believe that a snake or a turtle or a tarantula is a good idea for pets at Christmas time, or really at any time. These are animals and insects that would be better left in their environment. However, a dog, a cat, a bird may make someone really happy, especially if they were expecting one of these as a pet. My wife and I presently have cats and one bird and they are all wonderful. They are not hard to take care of, so they would make great pets. It would be wise to have the necessary equipment and food to go along with the pet of choice that you are going to give someone at Christmas.
Something else that is important when you give someone a pet for Christmas is to have it delivered by a friend or loved one on Christmas morning. While my wife lies in bed, I would deliver the puppy by placing it on the bed and hoping that is licks her face rather than try to bite her nose off. I would test the waters with the puppy first, of course. The dog would have a nice colored bow on its head and dressed in a santa outfit as well. When she wakes, all I can hope for is the biggest smile possible.
What is nice about getting a friend, a child or a loved one a pet for Christmas it can be considered original. A pet also makes a great gift especially if it is healthy and is a pet that can be loved for years to come. Great picture taking can be accomplished during that Christmas morning when your loved one is cuddling its new Christmas gift. A pit bull may not be a great choice for a dog, but if it is trained properly from birth, there may not be a problem with it.
It may not be for Christmas, but my wife is soon to get a new dog. No one tell her please.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Helium staff and writers.
Learn more about this author, David Brown.
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No
Unless you have had thorough discussions with the recipient prior to buying the pet, it is not a good idea to give one as a gift. Although some people view certain animals as easy to keep, every species has its own specific needs and responsibilities. Even if a child has been pining for a pet, it does not necessarily mean they are ready to take on this responsibility.
Gifts are often greatly desired and then thrown aside the moment something new and better comes along. A pet should be considered as a member of the family, and animals in particular require emotional support. They will be the ones who suffer when the owner decides they are no longer convenient. One only has to read a newspaper or watch television to see the sheer volume of animals that are currently being abandoned, mistreated or dumped at shelters. The worldwide economic climate further exacerbates this situation. Some people no longer have the extra finances to give the pet everything they need and deserve, no matter how good their intentions may be.
Pets cost money, and veterinary bills can be enormous, particularly if you have large dogs, horses or several pets at once. The larger the pet, the more they eat, and so on. Time is a necessary requirement if you are a pet owner, and care and diligence are essential. Over the holidays one may have time to give a pet lots of love and attention, but what happens when everyone goes back to work and school timetables? Will the pet still have enough attention? Can they be left alone in the house, or do they require constant supervision? Is the owner prepared for wet spots on the carpet, or paw prints on the sofa? You can't punish a young animal for doing these things - it's part of their maturing process.
Even if the giver has put a lot of thought into the gift, it is essential that they have discussed all of these issues with the owner. Because animals are such a big responsibility, it is inappropriate to view them as gifts at all. Gifts are so often viewed as commodities that may be put aside and forgotten about, and one cannot do this with a pet. Instead, why not buy the pet accessories as a gift, so that the owner-to-be is better prepared for their new bundle of joy? Toys and collars, registration licenses and tags could make a thoughtful gift for someone who is planning to get a pet.
All in all, one wouldn't give a child as a Christmas present, so it follows that one shouldn't give a pet either.
Learn more about this author, A Morris.
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