A Dog for Christmas?

     In 1952 Patti Page asked the question, “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?” The question is should you buy that doggie, kitty, chick or duckling for Christmas? Only you can answer that question. Remember that a pet is more than a one night obligation. A pet is a lifetime responsibility, their lifetime. How prepared you are for this pet, will determine how good his life will be. Or will it end up in a shelter. Because after all he’s not just a dog. You are bringing home a new member of the family.

     I don’t recommend buying a dog from a store. They are usually more expensive, and some stores will actually open up a credit account so you can buy a dog. Is it really wise to go into debt for a pet? We will discuss the long-term cost of adding a new family member later. There are much better places to buy your new pooch than a store. Animal shelters are a great place to start. The best dog I ever had was a shelter dog.  If you know that you want a certain breed of dog, then there are breed specific rescues for every breed under the sun. Then there are ethical breeders. Not all breeders are puppy mills. Ethical breeders plan out the litters and take very good care of their dogs. If you choose to go to a breeder, get references and ask questions.

Questions like:  

1.      How are the puppies socialized?

2.      Can I see the parent dogs?

3.      Have the puppies been to the vet?

4.      How many litters a year does the mother have?

The list goes on.

     Christmas morning and the kids find a black and white pointer puppy under the tree. Everyone fights over holding, petting and kissing it. The dog is in heaven everyone loves him. Over the next few days the kids love to feed him and walk him and even clean up after him. After the new year, school starts. The mornings are rushed. Kids running for the bus you and your wife grab coffee to go and head out the door to work. Then you hear a whine. You kiss your wife and let her leave for work, you let the dog out. Five minutes go by, he runs in and thanks you with a kiss on your nose. You rush to work and get there just in time.

     The puppy, we’ll call him Zeke. Zeke spends his first day all alone, what does he do? He gets into everything. The paper towels are ripped up all over the floor he finds a shoe under the couch your wife has been looking for and made a chew toy out of it. He’s only 14 weeks old he can’t hold it all day long so there is a landmine here and a puddle there. What do you do when you come home? If you blow up at the dog, each other or the kids, then a puppy is not for you.

     Zeke is a baby and needs the same kind of patience and attention you gave your childern at that age. It takes time to train a dog. It will be worth every minute you spend with Zeke. When you are out in the field and he points his first pheasant or quail you will get a feeling of pride, knowing that you trained him. In training him, you are creating a life long bond not just for you, but your entire family will benefit.

     Pets are costly. When you consider the money, you will spend for food, treats, toys, beds, the vet and any emergencies it can add up.  You will spend $175.00 a month or more on Zeke. Sometimes things may get tough, money is tight and it’s going to be a sacrifice to feed Zeke this week. What do you do? He is family. You have to feed him. Cut down on treats and buy less expensive food but you have to feed him. Taking him to the pound is not an option.

     Remember Zeke is only a part of your life, but you are all he has. You are his life.

    

Over the years you have spent countless hours hunting over Zeke, loving, playing with him and at times getting mad at him. The kids are older and involved in sports or dance, they have their own friends and do their own thing, Zeke is 12 years old. He still gets excited when you bring out your shotgun, but instead of an all day hunt Zeke can do a 30 minute hunt. He is giving you his all, but he is older. On the way back to the truck Zeke locks up on point like he in his prime. In the back of your mind you know this could be his last point. You walk in, a rooster jumps, you fire and he falls to the ground. Zeke runs and retrieves the bird. You have your phone out to capture this moment in time. He brings it to your hand just like you taught him. When you arrive back to the truck you lift Zeke into the bed of the truck, he sits, you put your hunting vest, the bird and shotgun down next to him for one last hero shot of Zeke.

     On the drive home, He puts his head on your lap, you stroke his ears with a lump in your throat knowing that the end is near. You remember that Christmas 12 years ago when you brought this little puppy home. You remember the chewed up shoe and how mad your wife was, you remember Zeke’s first point, first retrieve and that time he got lost in some unfamiliar field. You remember how you waited by the truck for over an hour, when suddenly he bounds over a downed pine tree and runs right towards you, you tried to be mad, but all you could do is hug him and call him a stupid dog for getting lost. Now that the end is near, you would give anything to live those times over again.

     The question is should you buy that doggie, kitty, chick or duckling for Christmas? If you are ready for the challenges, the expense the years of joy and some heartache, then yes by all means buy that pet for Christmas. All I ask is that you take into consideration not just your life and feelings but that of the dog.