RSS
Home
The One Kind Of Gift You Should Never Give
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
So you want to buy your loved one a dog? Give this article a read first. Before I start bringing you articles on individual breeds, I'd thought it was important to address the subject of 'pet-gifting' first.
If you're reading this, you're probably a dog-lover or know someone who is and so you know how much joy a dog can bring to one's life. Dogs are truly amazing. Those furry balls of unconditional love (and mischief) guarantee your time spent with them will be filled with affection, laughter, and purpose. And if you have a dog, you already know how much time, work, and expense is also involved - a lot. As wonderful as they are, they don't take care of themselves. We've bred them that way. They no longer hunt or scavenge for their own food; we provide it for them. They no longer seek out shelter and homes; we provide that too. Add to that their health maintenance, grooming requirements, and sources of mental & physical stimulation, and you've got an adorable but full-time job. For these very reasons it's vital that you're prepared and understand the repercussions of owning a dog.
Bringing a dog into your life should be a carefully thought-out plan and every adult in your home situation should weigh in on the decision because their lives will be similarly affected. Once you make the decision, choose your dog well and realize that it's a full commitment to a sensitive, living being for many many years. Be realistic and expect that you will encounter difficulties of different sorts over the next few years but if your commitment is sound, you can overcome them because there are several avenues of help available to help you cope with any issues ranging from behavioral to health problems. Armed with the right knowledge and an owner's dedication, there are few problems that can't be resolved.
Such is the normal process involved in choosing to bring a pet into your life responsibly. But here are some of the problems associated with giving someone a dog:
- 1. Even though he/she may have expressed interest in a pet, they may not be quite ready for a pet just yet.
- 2. You may not be fully cognizant of the person's time schedule or finances; a well-intentioned gift of a pet can put a strain on the new owner rather than bring them joy.
- 3. When you choose a breed for them, you presume to know everything about that individual's personality and preferences. You can sometimes make a biased choice simply because you choose a breed/dog that you are familiar with or have a preference for but which doesn't necessarily match the other person's situation or ideals.
- 4. Even something as minor as gender choice, which sometimes a breeder or counselor can elaborate on, is also bypassed when you presume to choose for someone.
That said, every now and then, the gift pet and the new owner work out well, although some theorize that it's because the owner was an exceptional animal-lover who undertook such commitments very seriously, regardless of the 'fit'. Most people, though, aren't like that. When they encounter significant problems in a relationship (with a dog or human even), they opt to go separate ways. With another human, it's not a big deal - you can both move on. With a dog, it's not that easy. An abandoned pet has very few options indeed - foster home, rescue group, or shelter. Plainly put, once an owner gives up on a pet, that animal's very life is at stake. So please choose your own pet carefully, and don't presume to give someone such an immense responsibility as a token of your affection. Instead, buy him/her a book on dogs and breeds and spend time researching together. Help your loved one make a responsible and fitting choice for his/her lifestyle and situation so that the resulting partnership is one that will be cherished for years to come.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
