[gemy]

Here is what I think. First timing of receipt of puppy, is usually the worst time at XMAS season and New Years. Unless of course the puppy owners have a very quiet life, or are prepared to make it so, to receive a new planned puppy into their life.

We got Razzman on the day before New Years Eve, but we knew we would receive him then, and we made no plans for that New Years. And if we had we would have negotiated with his breeder to pick him up later.

I just really really resist the idea of a surprise puppy for your family or good friends. Those surprises are not like a new TV, stove, or car. You can't decide not to plug it in or to drive it. You are introducing a major life change into the future owners lives. One that they will need to drop all holiday plans for, and to care for the pup in question.

So a gift certificate is much better, from a breeder you trust and have researched, or a generic gift certificate for apuppy if you know your friends are dead set for a puppy.