A Pet For Christmas

Foster-Kittens "Island Group-1"
Their names were Gilligan, The Professor, Ginger and, of course, Skipper!
(Read their amazing journey in Pasha's book)

As the holidays approach, we bring out tinsel, sprayed ornaments, dangling string, and other tempting items. Many of us also want fresh plants in our home especially during the bland winter months, such as the colorful poinsettia. All of these new additions of course have to be investigated and invariably nibbled on by our curious pets. Believe me when I tell you that ‘pre-owned’ poinsettia on a white Berber rug is not a pretty sight.

Is there perhaps a new pet in Santa’s burlap bag for you? What fun to bring a new puppy or kitten home to have it pop out of a box on Christmas morning, amidst squeals of delight, confusion, frenzy, and lots of tinsel.

Please, think again. It is one of the worst mornings to introduce your new four-legged companion into a home. The animal will be understandably confused, even scared. No one else's behavior is quite normal during the holidays, nor will your new pet's be in its strange environment—sometimes with the unfortunate result that it is taken to a shelter for its supposedly unsuitable behavior.

‘Wouldn’t come out from under the bed and play with the kids.’

‘Made a mess under the dining room table. What do you mean we should have had a litter box prepared before we got the kitten.’

The decision to get a kitten or puppy for Christmas because the kids would get a kick out of having a pet is a bad move. Shelters all over the country overflow after the holidays with these ‘impromptu’ pets. Don’t let your intended furry companion be one of them.