CHRISTMAS PUPPIES - Have you REALLY thought it through?
(Written by Jo-anne Jefferson. Permission to cross-post granted by the author.)

If you believe the advertising bombarding you at this time of the year, it's easy to accept the premise that puppies are the perfect Christmas gift.  The adorable roly-poly bodies and cute faces can melt the most Scrooge-like of hearts. Kids, puppies and Christmas - the perfect mix, right?

Couldn't be further from the truth! Statistics show that puppies purchased as Christmas gifts are the ones most likely to be turned into animal shelters in the months following the holidays. Let's face it - most Christmas puppies are impulse buys by folks who have given no thought to what they'd do with the puppy during or after the holidays, let alone for the next 10 to 15 years!

Christmas is a wonderful time, but it's also incredibly busy and stressful. Are you really prepared for the added demands a new baby in the house will mean?

Here's a quick list to consider:

a.. Puppies need to be cared for (fed, housebroken, played with, and protected from the hazards of the holidays). Have you decided who is going to be the main caregiver? If your children haven't previously been responsible about caring for their things, don't assume a puppy will be any different. Pets don't teach responsibility - parents do.

b.. Puppies need to be considered if you're planning on visiting during the holidays - this is a new baby who can't be left alone for long hours this early in its life and it may not do well with traveling (ever dealt with a car-sick puppy?) And how will the relatives react to a puppy messing all over the house?

c.. Puppies chew indiscriminately. They don't care if it's the toy you choose for them or that expensive gift, the chocolates your neighbors gave you or the festive poinsettia that is a family tradition in your home.

d.. Have you puppy proofed your home - doors safe, dangerous items up and out of the way? If you're not prepared for that puppy, it could mean illness or even death to that innocent little bundle. And what about the vet bills for an ill or injured puppy on top of all the other Christmas expenses?

e.. Finally, do you know where your puppy came from and what conditions its parents are kept in? You should care, because it can have long reaching effects on the physical and emotional health of your new family member. 

The responsible breeder of dogs won't normally let a puppy go to a home during the Christmas season. Pet stores, like other commercial venues, don't have your best interest at heart and are banking on the impulse nature of your purchase.

If you've done your homework, know what to expect from being a dog owner and have raised a puppy before, you have an idea of what's ahead of you.  The responsible thing to do if you're planning on a puppy as a gift is to wait. A puppy doesn't belong under the Christmas tree. Buy the things you need for the puppy - dishes, grooming supplies, toys, books, even a picture. 
One creative family sent a letter from the puppy to the children - saying it would be along after the holidays, but it was sending its belongings ahead (the above mentioned gifts). The children were delighted, the surprise had its desired effect and they had the heightened anticipation of the puppy they knew was coming.

Nothing beats the strong bond between a dog and its owner. But you owe it to your dog to be fair and committed from the very beginning. So before you bring that furry little bundle home, be sure you're ready for everything responsible dog ownership means. Merry Christmas!!