by Gabrielle Keen

Created on: January 05, 2009   Last Updated: January 06, 2010

Ho, Ho, Ho ( or in this case No, No, No!) here's your Christmas present but you had better unwrap it quickly because it's hungry, thirsty and quite possibly smelly. Sorry but it threw up in the box on the way here.

Yes it's a puppy! What a brilliant gift idea ! After all who wouldn't want sleepless nights, chewed slippers, hair embedded furniture and commitment to another living being for up to 20 years, not to mention the plentiful puddles of piddle. Best of all it's the gift that keeps on giving by way of steaming wee parcels randomly deposited around the house where you least expect to find them. Heck, why not go the whole hog, forget the puppy or kitten and give them a real live baby!

Let's face it, at this point the gift bearer has already rendered themselves less popular than Aunt Myrtle when she handed over that canary yellow hand knitted jumper which has already become destined for the nearest charity shop. Sadly the day's unexpected present, the surprise of surprise gifts, that adorable, innocent, ribbon trussed wee bundle of fur may well face a similar fate only it's likely destination will be an animal shelter. Consequently I doggedly and categorically state my position in this side of the debate. No, you should definitely not buy someone a pet for Christmas or any other time of the year for that matter.

Making the choice of whether or not to have a pet should always be up to the prospective owner. Giving someone a pet as a gift is taking away that choice, and depending on the recipient, putting a huge question mark over the future wellbeing of that pet and quite possibly the relationship of both giver and recipient. Most people would not presume to choose someone else's house, bed, car or spouse so why would it be any more acceptable to decide what another person may want in a pet, or if indeed they want one at all.

A pet, whether it's a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, mouse or lizard is a living, breathing, needy being which deserves a caring, loving and responsible environment in which to thrive with someone who appreciates it. A pet is not a toy or novelty gadget to be played with then discarded once the novelty has worn off or a stuffed teddy bear shut away out of sight when visitors arrive.

Pets like children require commitment, love and care and what's more, they don't come cheap. It's like giving someone a present only they must pay for it themselves over and over again in regular weekly payments for a good many years to come. Yes, responsible pet ownership is expensive and therefore yet another reason not to give someone a pet as a present. Would you give someone a high interest debt for Christmas?

My advice is simply this..... stick to giving the boring but safe socks, toiletries and chocolates for presents but please, keep the pets for life.

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