We all spend a great deal of time shopping for the perfect gifts for our loved ones, however, there is one gift idea that shouldn’t be on the list – a puppy. Gifts are things, and things can be discarded or abandoned. Dogs are not things and yet they are purchased as Christmas gifts every year. Although there are many benefits of bringing a dog into your life, it may not be the best choice for every family for a number of reasons. If you are planning to buy a puppy for Christmas, consider the following:
Puppies are a huge commitment – Yes, they are cute and fun and you just want to squeeze them! But puppies grow up, and you should consider whether you are ready for a commitment of 15 years or more caring for a living being. Puppies come with much more than cute cuddles. You commit to a lifelong relationship, and that means time, training, exercise and a whole lot of surprises (especially in the early months of life with a dog!)
Puppies cost money – Between buying a puppy, initial and continuing veterinary visits, toys, food and training, a puppy can cost a small fortune. Also, if you buy a puppy for a child or significant other, there is no guarantee that they are capable of that level of commitment. Unfortunately, the gift of a puppy does come with the gift of responsibility: and not everyone has the ability to introduce a puppy into their lives.
If you feel that you are ready for this kind of commitment, then give some serious consideration to adoption. Contact a local shelter and adopt a dog who needs a loving home. Countless dogs are put to death every year because of overpopulation in shelters. Adopting a puppy can save a lot of money upfront, and also save the lives of dogs. Remember to treat your dog with everything it needs, as well as something special like Designer Dog Collars from a site like https://iwoof.com/product-category/designer-dog-collars-and-leads/
Abandonment – It is sad but true that the number of abandoned dogs greatly increases during the post-Christmas period. Some people just cannot take care of the animals, no matter how cute they are. And while giving them to a shelter is always an option, so many people leave them on the streets to fend for themselves. If you buy a puppy for a friend or loved one, there is no guarantee they will stay. Remember that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas!
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