Dogs are Lifelong Commitments, Not Short-Term Thrills
Getting a dog for Christmas is a unique kind of treat. Pets bring joy, fun, and excitement to the holiday season. But after the stockings have been stored in the crawlspace with care and the Douglas fir dragged out to the dumpster, that novelty can wear off. The cute, fluffy puppy that graced your lives Christmas morning is now a living, breathing creature that requires time, money, and energy. It also thinks your throw pillow is a bathroom.
Unfortunately, the above demonstrates a trend that isn’t unique: ‘tis the season to be jolly, but it’s also the one to drop Molly at the animal shelter. Every year, shelters across the US receive an influx of dogs (as well as cats) around the holiday season. In 2013, the Washington Humane Society reported that they’d received 26 dogs in less than 48 hours! This means that every two hours, someone was surrendering a creature they had promised to love.
Anytime an animal is surrendered, it’s a heartbreaking experience – they’re scared, confused, and wondering what they did wrong (the answer = nothing). But dogs that are surrendered in the weeks following Christmas, right after they’ve grown accustomed to a new home and a foreign environment, often experience even more trauma. Many stop eating and grow depressed. They also lose faith in people and experience anxiety, something that can lead to behavior problems and make them harder to adopt out.
This trend, of course, only compounds a larger problem: according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 6.5 million companion animals (dogs and cats) are dropped off at shelters every year. Roughly half of these are dogs and the other half are cats. There’s a reason why the term “adopt, don’t shop” circulates among animal lovers: no creature deserves to live in a cage.
The simplest way to avoid contributing to this tragedy is to never abandon your pet. If this isn’t possible, then the solution might be to never get a pet in the first place.
So, before you take on a new furry family member (either during the holidays or any other time of year), ask yourself…
Can I afford a pet?
Dogs, on average, cost around $500 to $1000 dollars a year when you factor in food, treats, and vet care. Dogs that require anything more than routine medical care will be more expensive. So will dogs that need to go to doggie daycare.
Can I commit to a pet?
Puppies grow up to be dogs – bigger, harder to manage versions of their infant selves. Depending on size and breed, a dog may live up to 18 or 19 years (especially the little ones). In other words, make sure you’re in it for the long haul.
Can I accommodate a pet?
If you’re a constant traveler more comfortable on an airplane than a living room sofa, a pet might not be for you. Before you bring one into your life, make sure you live a life that is pet-friendly.
Can I love a pet unconditionally and offer lifelong loyalty?
After all, it’s only fair to treat a dog the same way it treats you.
JJ Keeler lives in Colorado with a house full of pets. She owns three dogs, two cats, and a hamster she bought as a bribe to get her daughter to ride the school bus. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado and has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. Her clothes are perpetually covered in pet hair.
