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Originally Posted by lillymae  Ladymom posted a good link and I Firmly agree with the read. As far as the price people pay for their puppies and dumping them at shelters after they have paid such prices, Yes it happens every day. Probably more in the months after Christmas because sooooo many people buy puppies as Christmas gifts. I'm sure ladyjane could tell a story or two about puppies and adult dogs who end up in shelters and rescues because the owner simply could not be bothered with cleaning up after them any longer when they soil the carpet because they never took the time to train the animal properly. I have 5 dogs now and 3 are pure bred dogs , all ended up homeless because the owners could not afford their medical needs and/or chose not to house break or train them in any manner. All are wonderful dogs and none deserved to be thrown away like a piece of trash. I also do not believe people should buy "Their Children" of any age a pet. Adding any pet to any family should be a family affair, meaning all should want the animal and all should take part in it's care. I am so sick of hearing parents say " if you don't take care of your dog I'm getting rid of it" or "if you don't clean up after your cat it's going to the pound". Parent's need to be the ones who take the lead & show/teach their children that pets are a very big and important responsibility and they are not toys and they are not disposable. |
Yeah I suppose people might dump off an expensive dog if they didn't pay for it and it was just given to them. That's why I don't believe people should give a "gift" of an animal if that animal wasn't specifically requested (by an adult!). Years ago someone gave my mother a "retirement gift" of a Pom --- she didn't want a little dog and did go to great lengths to find it a good and caring home (and would have NEVER just dumped it at a shelter if she had not been able to find it a good home, she would have kept it, but she interviewed several people and finally settled on the one she thought could give him the best home --- and they did, they kept in touch with her over the years).
I do agree people need to think through acquiring a dog before they get it. There have been times in my life I admit to getting a dog when it probably wasn't the best time, but all my dogs have lived long lives and died (in my arms) of old age, thus even if I "shouldn't have" gotten the dog, I kept my commitment to it no matter what. Which is what people should do. Commitment is a long lost art I guess.
Post New Year's would probably be better if the holiday times are hectic. BUt for many, the holidays are merely another day, thus Christmas time can be as good as any time and if someone wants a puppy and one's available at that time, why not? So again, Christmas time can be a great time to acquire a pet...if one's lifestyle can accommodate the new little being.