FURS AND FEATHERS AND SCALES, OH MY!
Does your Valentine’s list include a
gift of fur, feathers or scales? Owning a pet is a personal decision
that has many variables. Many people have definite ideas about their
preferences of breed that a family member or friend may not know about.
The recipient may have allergies that could be life threatening, and
some may enjoy other people’s pets, but do not want to care for
a pet of their own.
Whatever basis you use for choosing a pet
as a gift, it requires a discussion with the gift’s receiver before
a purchase is made. What appears cute to you may be looked upon as a
casualty by another.
Discuss this list of basic items with the
receiver before buying that adorable live present:
? Is the receiver a true pet lover?
? Does the receiver want a pet?
? Does the receiver want the type of pet you want to give?
? Does the receiver welcome the responsibility?
? Does the receiver of the gift have time and facilities for a pet?
? How old a pet does the receiver want?
? Have you researched the traits of the breed?
? Will the breed enjoy children?
? Does the receiver want a pedigree or a rescued animal?
? Where will the pet live?
? Is it an indoor or outdoor pet?
? Is a cage or crate necessary?
? How will the receiver be able to transport the pet?
? Will restraints be needed for transporting?
? What expenses will a pet create for the receiver?
? Is the receiver of the pet a small child?
If the giver of a living gift cannot answer
the above questions, a different offering should be made.
Some pets thrive on time alone while others
will die from lack of human companionship. One family had their guinea
pig played with by the neighborhood children, who in turn would take
the guinea pig into their homes when the family was away. Once, when
all the neighbors were on vacation, the family took the guinea pig to
a pet shop to be cared for. The pet shop and owner had been investigated
thoroughly and everyone involved felt comfortable with the arrangements.
When the family returned from their vacation
two weeks later, a letter was in the mailbox explaining how the guinea
pig so beloved by the family had expired. He had stopped eating, playing,
and finally succumbed due to feeling abandoned. The pet shop owner had
taken the guinea pig home and given it constant play and attention. They
even had their own guinea pig introduced, but nothing worked. In desperation,
the pet shop owner took the guinea pig to a veterinarian, but to no avail.
The guinea pig died.
Had the owners of the guinea pig researched
guinea pigs before taking the vacation, they would have learned that
guinea pigs do not adapt well to being left alone without attention.
If it feels abandoned, it will die of a broken heart. So it is with a
great number of pets.
In my youth, I was given two small yellow
birds resembling ducklings. Through my four year old “care”,
one duckling didn’t survive. The other was rescued and I was taught
how to adequately care for him. When the “duck” grew up it
turned into a mailman-chasing goose. It was finally taken to a public
park overrun with geese and turned loose. Imagine the feelings of that
goose at being abandoned after so many years of close companionship,
and think of the small girl coming home to find her lifelong pet gone!
Responsibility of a pet is a demanding exercise,
which usually increases as a pet ages. Money, time and attention are
issues that must be dealt with before a pet’s purchase.
The gift of a pet should never be a surprise
under any circumstance. Make sure your recipient is willing to make the
sacrifices needed. If the recipient is a child, have a backup plan ready
with an adult willing to take over the care.
Many pets are accepted with joy during a holiday
season, then abandoned when the reality of a changed lifestyle sets in.
And the giver can find him/herself with one less friend after the holidays.
Make sure your gift this holiday season is
not a living one. Give a pet when it will be gladly accepted and well
cared for. Always include a promise that the pet can be returned to you
if it doesn’t work out. There are too many abused, lost and homeless
pets in the world. Even with the best of intentions, let’s not
knowingly add to that number.
Julie Grant is owner of Pet Chauffeur Transport, a pet chauffeur company that operates in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and suburbs. She is available for special presentations and talks. Pet Chauffeur appreciates your comments and encourages you to send them, whether pro or con, to oegrant2@juno.com. All contents and articles on this website are copyrighted and require the express written permission of the author for copies, distribution, or use outside of this website.
