It is the week before Thanksgiving and Black Friday is almost here, which means it is time to get your Christmas lists ready, so let me tell you my pet peeve of Christmas gifts, emphasis on pet.
I challenge you to find a young kid, or any person really who would not be completely psyched to run to the Christmas tree and find a puppy or a kitten.
I know those kids, I am one of them. The amount of times I've asked for a puppy, throughout my life, is too high to count. They're soft and sweet and snuggly, what could be better?
I am all for the gift of cuddles and doggie kisses or kitten purrs, but only if you are ready for all the work that comes with it.
Pets are a lot of work, and if you really expect your young child to put in all the work of taking care of that animal, all of the time, I hate to break it to you but you are absolutely crazy.
Kids get bored, pets get messy and needy and big, and life changes.
I do not care what your reasoning is, if you adopt or by an animal, it is yours to keep.
The amount of pets in animal shelters is too high as it is, but a little while after Christmas the amount grows by much too much.
If you want to get your kid a doll or a video game that they can throw away when they get over it in a few months, by all means do so, but a doll is not the same as a dog.
A pet is a living, breathing, dependent thing, and they will love you forever and ever, and you owe them the same.
Do your research and think very carefully about if you have the time, space, and energy for an animal in your home.
I would recommend a pet to most people, I love mine whole heartedly and have many planned for the rest of my life, but it's important to remember the rest of your life part.
Pets are for life, they are not to be abandoned because your impulse buy did not work out. Animal shelters are already full enough, so please only buy an animal if you are positive you can love and support it endlessly.
The furry members of our family are just that, family, and they deserve to be loved the way they love us, unconditionally. So if you have no idea what you are doing adopting an animal, or there is a chance you will decide in a few months that it was a mistake, do us all a favor and do not get your kid, your significant other, anyone else a pet as a present. Maybe try a stuffed animal first.