A pet is NOT just for Christmas, please think carefully this festive season  

I don't think there is anything wrong treating pets as presents BUT. Yes, there is a BUT.

Pets are not humans but they are living things as well. When you want to give someone a pet, you must first make sure that he has the time and energy and responsibility to look after it. You should always get the consent of the recipient before burdening him with a responsibility he may not be ready for.

As for the case of those kids you met, it would be ok if the parents have drilled in them the responsibility entailed for the puppies they are getting. Taking care of a pet is certainly not easy. The children will become responsible young adults if they can take care of their pets well and shower them with love, care and concern.

Now I believe if you are willing to take care of the pet if the person you are giving the pet will not it is ok, but if you want to hand it off to someone else that doesnt want to take care of it then no way.

I have no problem giving or saying a pet is a present. Anything could be a present out of love. However this family was the exception to this rule. They were not thinking of the pet as part of the family. I have to cats and did not buy any of them. if I had a bigger place. I would buy my daughter her favorite dog. This also would be one of her Christmas,Birthday,or good grades present. I am hoping you can get over this situation. The family is clearly one not deserving of this wonderful term.

If I were to go out and get myself a pet for a present, that'd be one thing. When someone thinks pets make cute gifts and get them without consulting the giftee that's another. In still a 3rd class are those people whom animals have already been take from. I know in England they can bar a person who has neglected a horse from ever owning another - they should have that for all animals.

Pets as presents can be OK but really it should not be a whim present. We gave my oldest when she was 12 a hamster for her b-day but before she got it she had been asking for so long for one. So we started with a goldfish if she took care of it properly we would consider a bigger pet. Her fish lived almost 2 years and the bowl was always clean the fish was fed and taken care of. So we then went to a fish tank which we still have and the tank is always cleaned so We felt that she had the responsibility to handle a hamster. We were right she got the Hamster for her b-day and has had a few since then she is 17 now. My point is pets can be presents but look into it first and make sure the person who is getting it be responsible and really want he pet first. As for the store I know the pet stores around here check you out before they will sell you a pet and I don't think the advertise pets for Xmas presents.

Yes, pets are a very bad idea for a present. Even if the parents are dog/cat people and they are willing to take on the responsibility, the holidays are a very hectic time. A new pet can be forgotten about when they need you the most with lots of houseguests or the family gone all day to go to relative's houses or the general stress of the holiday. The best thing to do is if the family is truly ready, adopt a dog after the holidays. Shelters are full of "bad Christmas gifts" right after Christmas through the end of January plus people dumping animals because they lost their lease, etc. on the 31st. Cats included.

BTW, please encourage your friends to stop selling puppies and allow rescue groups in. Pet store puppies come from animal brokers and they get them from puppymills. It is a horrible life for the parents of the puppy. Google puppymill rescue or puppymills and you will see what I mean. Even a store that says they get from "good breeders". No reputable breeder would let their dog be sold to a faceless person they will never meet and even then without thorough interviews, vet checks, and more just like a rescue does for someone to adopt a dog.

I have heard time and time again that pets are not ideal for Christmas presents, and the same at easter time,

While the novelty is there, a child often does not understand the responsibility that goes along with it.

I think that a pet should be choosen carefully and wisely, and that a 'gift' should be choosen carefully if they decided to get a pet. Choosing something that suits the family as well.

I'm glad to hear that the owners stood their ground and refused to sell them the pets.....

although I have to worry that they will go ot another store to look at and try to buy pets....

Mooch

I treat my 2 cats like are part of the family. And when I see people not caring about their pets it makes me so mad. I often think why did you get the pet in the first place? I cant stand people like that. I hope someday they will be treated the way they treated their pets. I think that would a good punishement for them. Some people are heartless and so very cold.

Thankfully, most every store has a Right to Refuse Service policy and I think it should be enforced with ppl like this. Congrats on the storeowner for standing up for those little pups...their better off at the store and a chance at a good home then in a bad home.

I would never get a pet for a child, gift or not, if they weren't responsible enough to care for it. I think they are fine as a gift as long as the child is responsible enough. My Dad gave me a cat one year for Christmas and she was well loved and cared for.

These ppl sound like they don't need any pets at all...in fact, I'm wondering if they need kids.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

**AT PEACE WITHIN**

~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

I think a pet is a wonderful gift any time of the year as the same as a child would be however like all great gifts they should only be given to people who will really appreciate them. I commend those store owners. Most of the time people who run those pet shops or are breaders will only care about making the money and will sell to anyone and let animal protection deal with the problems. It's rare that the people selling these living breathing things actually think of them as more than something that is to make money on. I know that is how it is around here. Most of those places cut corners to lower their expenses to make more money and never mind the health and wellbeing of the animal. That's why I got my dog at the humane society. People should remember that a pet isn't like any other toy under the tree that a child can play with on Christmas day and then toss away. It's a gift for a life to treasure and take care of. But most people don't realize the work involved and that is why animals are quickly discarded after the new year. Sad but true.