Pets as Presents - No Dogs Under the Tree! - Paw Nation

Giving any pet as a gift on any occasion is almost always a bad idea. While puppies are perennially popular impulse holiday gifts, a puppy or adopted older dog is a lifetime commitment and should not be entered into lightly. That cute puppy under the tree on December 25 is a big headache by the end of January for an impulsive gift-getter. Even for experienced and prepared potential pet owners, the holidays are the absolute worst time of year to adopt a new dog. No matter what your best intentions, a puppy will get lost in the shuffle of holiday festivities. Also, the winter weather and early darkness is not conducive to acquainting your dog with the outdoors.

But just because you aren't going to have a new dog wearing a holiday gift bow on its chest doesn't mean the holidays need to be dog-free! Use the charitable season as an opportunity to help homeless dogs this year. There are thousands of worthy local organizations for dogs in addition to the national ones we all know about. Do a little research and find a local group that could use assistance during the holidays. Here are some great suggestions of how you can get your "dog fix" by helping the ones that need it most:

- Volunteer at your local shelter over the holidays. Call and find out what you need to do to become a volunteer and what is needed most at this time of year.

- Donate to an organization such as Sunny Days Rescue Relief. This organization provides money and supplies to shelters in need.

- Put together a hoiday donation with some of the following items that shelters always need: toys for dogs or cats, kitty litter, towels, blanket/sheets you no longer need, paper towels, disinfectant cleaners, long-handled foam squeegees or deck brushes, brooms, pooper scoopers, bleach, laundry detergent, new or used leashes and collars, and office supplies.

- Take a break from the usual holiday parties. Find out if there are any events in your area to benefit homeless animals. Make sure to attend and to donate.

- If you're hosting a party, put the list of things shelters need in your invitation and urge your guests to bring something for donation.

- Volunteer to assist a rescue group in transporting a dog to a new home over the holidays. Organizations like Carolina Coonhound Rescue need help transporting dogs.

- Volunteer to foster a dog after the holidays. Many rescue groups don't have actual shelters and they depend on kind people to share their homes with a rescued dog until a permanent home can be found. Petfinder.com is a great place to start looking. You can chose your area and see what dogs need a foster home. It's also a great way to see if your family is ready for a dog... after the holidays.

- Bake dog treats when you're baking holiday cookies. Bullwinkle.com has dozens of easy treats to make and you can deliver them to rescue group, a dog foster parent, or your local animal shelter.

- Got friends with dogs? Volunteer to dogsit for them while they go to parties or holiday shopping!

If your heart remains firmly set on adopting a puppy or senior dog of your very own, then in January, start doing your research and start visiting the local shelters. Before you know it spring will arrive and you'll be ready to bring a dog into your life.

Patti Lawson is an award-winning author and columnist who lives in Charleston, W.V. Her first book, "The Dog Diet, A Memoir," is the story of her adopted beloved canine companion, Sadie. She writes frequently for different publications on a variety of topics, and her column--Dogs... Diets... Dating--can be read on her website. To read Patti's blog and to buy her books, visit her on Red Room.

Tags: channukah, christmas, gifts, hannukah, holiday, presents, winter

Source: http://www.pawnation.com/2011/12/01/pets-as-presents-no-dogs-under-the-tree/

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