Giving the gift of a new pet.

[SamsonsMom]

It's the holiday season - a great time. Gift giving is one of my favorite parts of the season. Just a little article to remind people why giving a living animal as a gift is a not-so-good idea.

http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/art...xi/cmgifts.htm

I know most everybody on this site wouldn't consider a dog a good Christmas gift, but I know plenty of people tell me that they're going to get 'so-and-so' a new puppy for Christmas. I think this article gives a good suggestion that if you KNOW the potential new owners absolutely DO want a puppy (or other living animal) - than give a gift certificate to a breeder or animal shelter.

A good gift is never something that the receiver doesn't really want that's going to cost them time, energy and money. Especially to someone that is getting the new puppy for a child - check with the parents first because ultimately they are going to be the ones taking care of the puppy and financially supporting it.

[Jac]

Really good point!
My neice once got a puppy for Christmas (and she was a young adult mother) but she HATED it! She could not wait to find another home for the pup...I know that soulds odd, I don't understand it, but she really did not want that puppy.
There, I think, is the biggest problem in getting a live animal for someone...they can't just exchange the gift!

[KingstonTodd]

I would never want somebody to pick a dog for me, its so personal. Its one of the only chances you have in life (besides who/if you marry) that you get to choose your family. Even if they knew the breed I wanted I would still prefer to pick the breeder and the puppy, and THE TIMING myself. A puppy is so much work, as I am re-finding out, and it has to be at the right time and the bustle of holiday is often not the best time, so a gift certificate for later would be a better option.