Owning a Dog is a Gift (just not for Christmas)

I saw this poem and it really hits home on how so many dogs and kittens are purchased as Christmas and/or surprise gifts for people that under different circumstances, would not have bought one for themselves because they were either not ready for the responsibility or simply did not care to have a pet. So please. Do Not Buy A Pet For Christmas! If you are a parent and know that the responsibility will fall on your shoulders to provide food, water, socialization, training, and exercise and still want to get a puppy or kitten for the family, then I highly recommend wrapping the "accessories" that you will need for your new pet for the family to unwrap, and leave the actual purchase or pickup of the pet until after the holidays once all of the toys, wrappings, and breakable holiday ornaments are put away. And fellow breeders. Stop advertising your litters as "Christmas puppies"!!! You are also part of the problem! If you don't want to be "stuck" with extra puppies from a litter over the winter, then wait to breed your female in late spring/early summer. I realize that some girls don't cycle regularly but you can still plan accordingly and advertise the litter long before it actually takes place, making sure to have an extensive wait list so that you know you will have the entire litter placed with vetted, responsible families. It is Christmas day today,

And all are full of cheer,

But I lay freezing on the step,

I always sleep right here.

I never get to go inside,

And join in all the fun,

I'm what they call a yard dog,

When all is said and done.

They have given me some scraps,

I think it was last week,

Now laying in the snow today,

I am feeling tired and weak.

I can hear the children playing,

As my head lay on my paws,

This time just last year,

I was a gift from Santa Claus.

I don't know what I did wrong,

To be shut out in the yard,

I only lived inside 6 months,

Since then my life's been hard.

The snow is falling heavy now,

I'm just a block of ice,

And when I breathe the cold cold air,

My lungs feel like a vice.

A miracle then came to pass,

An Angel did appear,

She glowed, and I could feel the heat,

As she floated near.

She reached her hand and beckoned,

It was such a sight to see,

She smiled and said "Good Dog,

It is time to come with me.

I will take you to the bridge,

Where all the Good Dogs go

You can play there in the sunshine,

There will be no freezing snow."

My bag of bones stood up then,

I shook the snow from off my fur,

And, as I slowly followed,

This is what I said to her.

"I am not a Good Dog though,

In that I think you're wrong,

No one would shut a Good Dog,

In the garden for so long."

The Angel turned and smiled,

As I walked with head hung low,

Then she said, "I'm sorry,

I thought that you would know.

You really are a Good Dog,

The reason why your time is up,

It is just unfortunate,

You were born a Christmas pup."

I now live at the Rainbow Bridge,

And I am filled with joy,

But remember this at Christmas time,

A dog is NOT a toy.