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Ask Yvette

Dear Yvette,

My son has one item on his Christmas list. He wants a puppy. As a family, we are ready to bring a pet into the home. But we've read lots of things that say this is a bad idea at Christmas. What's wrong with putting a puppy under the tree if we are ready?

Jack

A child's pleading eyes are hard to resist. They get big like saucers and a little tear escapes as they say, “Pleeeease – please can I have a puppy?” Oh course you want to make your child's wishes come true.

Most holiday pet advice warns against buying on impulse. They are correct. Impulse animal sales are a bad idea. Gifts to other people aren't great either. But you're saying this is not an impulse buy.

If you have done your job, you know that you will be getting out of bed in the middle of the night to take the little guy outside. You will be standing out there in minus who knows what saying, “Hurry up.” You will just snuggle back into bed when the puppy will start whine. A couple hours later the puppy will wake you up to go outside again. If you are thinking kittens, expect to rush out of bed while your nocturnal animal knocks over the new crystal vase. When your holidays are over, you will want a holiday.

You are agreeing to exercise this animal. Ask any parent with a dog and you know it is the adult that does the walking. Young children are not mature enough to do this by themselves.

When the animal chews the your kid's WII system cords, you will have expected that. This is a baby and you should have been supervising and teaching. You will be on top of him every second so he does not dart out the door. Most animals try. During hectic times, they often succeed.

If you are not scared yet, there is one more thing to consider. Most stores and veterinary clinics are closed for the holidays. Should your pet have worms or parasites, and many do, you will have to deal with it. If the puppy eats something they shouldn't, you will be spending your time and money at the emergency veterinary clinic.

If you think that a fish or lizard looks like a better option, you would be wrong. As you unpack heaters and other essentials, you better pray they work. If you forget to buy the right food, which store are you going to find open Christmas morning? Many animals will die if not cared for correctly.

Do not put an animal under the tree. You can tell your child that Santa's elves make toys, not animals. You can say that Santa can't deliver pets because his sleigh has no roof. It is too dangerous for a bright and active animal.

Santa's elves do make pet toys, gift certificates, books and supplies. Suggest that your child put these things on their list. Then, make up a gift certificate. Spend the holidays doing set up and planning. Enjoy the holidays and have fun anticipating the new arrival with your child. Good rescue groups and breeders will likely be thrilled that you have planned so thoroughly ahead. They can help you plan a post-holiday homecoming.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

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