http://www.ohmidog.com/2012/12/07/puppies-are-more-than-toys-aspca-says/ a site for dog lovers Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:41:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.ohmidog.com/2012/12/07/puppies-are-more-than-toys-aspca-says/comment-page-1/#comment-50126 Anne'n'Spencer Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:37:51 +0000 http://www.ohmidog.com/?p=44607#comment-50126 Here is my best holiday suggestion, and it works. Kids and puppies or kittens belong together, that’s for sure. But the holidays are a terrible time to introduce a new family member. Give the child a soft, cuddly plush pup or kitten with a special tag around its neck–a tag that says that a real-life pet is in the near future. Then, after the tree is down and the decorations are put away–and after the last of the chocolate has been consumed and the poinsettia is history–arrange for a calm, quiet visit to the shelter or rescue to pick out a lifelong friend. This method provides some Christmas excitement and something to look forward to. It also provides plenty of time to talk with the child about those important lessons in gentleness and responsibility that go along with adopting a pet. A January adoption makes a lot more sense. Resist the temptation of the Christmas puppy and use the time to lay the foundations for a lifelong happy and responsible relationship.

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