My eighth Christmas was a bitter-sweet Christmas. It was the best because my father surprised me with my very first pet: a beautiful cocker spaniel puppy named "Duke." It was the worst because he surprised my mother, too, and as soon as school resumed my little playmate disappeared. Not an animal lover like the rest of us, Mom felt angry about not being consulted; upset at having to assume the major responsibility for Duke’s housetraining, walking, feeding, and general care; and overwhelmed by this addition to her already busy schedule. When I returned home from school one day to find my puppy gone, I was told that he went to live with our milk man on his farm and would have a very happy life. Days of crying and pleading to bring him back did nothing to change my mother’s mind and caused the first real "fight" between my parents that I can remember. I soon gave up on ever seeing Duke again, but think that--even to this day--I have never completely forgiven my mother for taking this most beloved Christmas present away from me.
Needless to say, this was the one and only "living present" I ever received. Future pets came into our family only when I was old enough to be trusted with a good portion of their care, after the entire family agreed to it, and always during the summer months--when school was out of session and the mild weather made house and leash training easier.
Each time I see a television commercial with puppies dressed in big red ribbons or tiny kittens jumping out of brightly wrapped packages under the Christmas tree, I cringe. Memories kick-in, and I know that many unsuspecting children will experience the same bitter-sweet holiday season as I did. In Southeastern Virginia, Christmas doesn’t fall in dead-of-winter weather, so presenting your child with a holiday puppy won’t pose quite as many problems. However, there is still the issue of time and timing to think about. Once your children return to school and the real work of house training, socializing, loving, and caring for your baby animal kicks in, will you really have the time and energy necessary to provide a happy, safe, and stimulating environment for you new addition?
If the answer is "no," but you still want to gift your child with a pet this year, there is an alternative. Instead of placing a living present under the tree, why not create the most beautifully wrapped package possible and place within it a "coupon" good for one adult dog or cat, to be chosen by your child during a family outing to your local S.P.C.A., Animal Control, or other rescue facility? Although puppies and kittens are appealing and fun, there are advantages to adopting a slightly older pet for your child. In most cases, he will already be house or litter box trained, know how to walk on a leash, and be spayed or neutered. You will be choosing a pet whose personality and temperament are already formed and who looks, now, like he will look in the future. Also, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are probably saving a life. While puppies and kittens are often the first to be adopted, perfectly healthy, beautiful, sweet tempered dogs and cats just a year or two of age are often overlooked simply because they are a year or two of age.
In the meantime, you can begin to explore and discuss what kind of pet would best fit into your family by reading about different breeds and checking out photos of available pets on websites such as beachpetpals.org. Once a decision has been made as to the type, size, age, gender, and anything else important to your child, you can continue to build upon this happy anticipation by spending a day shopping for the supplies and equipment you will need to have on hand before you bring your new family member home. Then, when the big day arrives, no one will be surprised, but everyone will have the best possible start to a long and happy life together.
Karen Reed Hadalski is a freelance writer living in Virginia Beach. She can be contacted at karenhadalski@netscape.net