With the holidays approaching, “Christmas Puppies” videos have taken over my social media timeline. It’s hard to resist the charm of these scenes, as children and adults burst into happy tears at the sight of an adorable puppy wearing a big birthday bow. However, as cute as they are, these videos only show part of the story.
Soon this cute fluffy ball will begin to bark, poop and gnaw on his onion, and the reality of a new parental pet will come. A new pet can be a wonderful gift, but it can also be a tricky surprise.
Before you give your own puppy for Christmas, think about the pros and cons of having a new pet in the house. There’s no denying the comfort and joy of a dog in the home, but a new pet means a lot of responsibility, and an unprepared recipient may not be up to the task. After the excitement of Christmas morning passes, the real work of raising puppies begins.