Pet photographer warns: think before giving a pet as a gift
When I was a child, my parents gave me a large box on Christmas morning. I opened it. It was empty. The content, a rescue pup, had somehow escaped before the grand influx of gifts.
Over the next month, I grew very fond of the little pup and found his occasional hiccups strange and peculiar. Then one day the puppy disappeared.
Years later, I was told that the puppy had distemper. My mother repeated several times over the next few years that she should have known to take the puppy to the vet, but she had never heard of distemper. It affects me. Obviously it affected my mother.
It’s the season of gift-giving, and many people may be considering the gift of a pet. Puppies and kittens are incredibly adorable. I know. That’s why I love to photograph them. That is why I have been the father of some. Their joy is beyond cute, and they do so many things that make people gasp “Awww!”
Unfortunately, that image is too often the only image a potential donor sees in their mind when considering giving a puppy or kitten to a child who can’t even remember to brush their teeth. A gift for anyone of any age is all about commitment.
So, here’s a reality check from a pet pro:
Puppies poop and chew, kittens sharpen their claws… things to consider before giving “the gift that lives on”… Kittens and puppies live, breathe, and most importantly, grow. They grow bigger (and bigger and in some cases even bigger) and age.
Think about this:
– The average indoor cat lives between 15 and 20 years or more. Mine lived 19.
– Large breed dogs live more than 8 years.
– Dogs of smaller breeds live more than 15 years.
So a six- or seven-year-old can go to college and his parents will be left in the care of a geriatric pet, with all the health problems and expenses that come with increasing age. The tender care and feeding of a new furry addition is a family endeavor.
For adult humans, lifestyle can be a problem. In our cat-controlled home, if we had a dog, we could be in trouble. I would want a lap dog, my husband would want a dog he could run with. The image of my husband dragging a Chihuahua or Doxie behind him is almost as much fun as a Retriever sitting on my lap. We travel, so larger dogs present more challenges and fewer options for pet sitters. None of us are allergic, but many people are, so giving away a pet could become a serious problem for human health. A busy person’s daily schedule could leave a pet alone for hours. That’s not cool. All things to consider before giving away a pet.
Pets can be expensive. REMEMBER THAT THEY LIVE, EAT, GET SICK AND IN SOME CASES GROW AND GROW. Without delving too deeply into the totals, the dog my husband wants to run with could eat 40 or more pounds of dog food per month. Veterinary care, food, pet training (maybe), and grooming (if necessary) all cost money.
A pet is a very personal choice. Pets and people have personalities. The gesture of giving a pet while being charming can bring a personality with irreconcilable differences. Do your research. If you’re a discreet person, you probably don’t want to include a Jack Russell Terrier in the mix. Similarly, if you’re a get up and go guy, an English Bulldog is probably not your ideal running partner.
Do not misunderstand. I love farts. I LOVE PETS! Pets are wonderful companions. They love unconditionally. Giving an elderly person the right pet can be a perfect boost. Then there are people who have lost a pet. The problem may be figuring out how long it takes to heal, but a pet at the right time can be the perfect remedy.
A puppy and a kitten are not a toy that can be returned. Pets do not teach responsibility. That means that the tender care and feeding of the new addition should and probably will be a family effort. Coming from someone whose livelihood depends on a pet, the following advice may seem strange: THINK BEFORE GIVING A PET AS A GIFT!