As another Christmas approaches I would like to share an article I wrote some time ago called “The Houston’s Family Christmas”. There is a point – so you will have to be a tad patient, I promise to get to it.
Christmas morning has arrived to the sound of squeals, giggles and crinkling paper as our two young boys open their stockings. Without further adieu, they are off down the stairs at rug burn speed to find out if jolly old St. Nick found his way even though we do not have a chimney. The octave levels rise as the squeals are quickly turning into screams. Mother needs a cup of tea, Dad a coffee – strong and black. Lovingly wrapped packages are ripped and torn open as paper and pretty bows are strewn aside to reveal the treasure inside. After a quick inspection, the gift is tossed aside so that the excitement can continue until every lovingly wrapped package has been conquered! Mother must start turkey. The boys have rediscovered the colourful xylophone in the corner under a mound of green and red paper and begin playing it with gusto and delight. But wait, there is only one wand and an argument is erupting! Father suggests that perhaps one boy would like to play Nintendo? That worked well. The sound of punching, carefully calculated karate moves and tallying points have now drowned out Anne Murray singing “Silver Bells”. Mom and Dad look for the Advil. Time now to try and clean up before cherished family members arrive.
The dogs start barking to alert us to the file of hungry holiday guests that are now piling gifts, bottles of wine and homemade cakes and cookies at the top of the stairs as they arrive. I intervene as my 2-year-old niece is showing our senior German shepherd mix her candy cane by trying to shove it up her nose. While trying to do this, I trip on my father’s boots, throwing my little niece off balance. Understandably, she begins wailing and crying, producing streams of crocodile tears. Mother needs another Advil. Dinner goes fairly well and we all enjoy our special time together, my parents reflecting back through past Christmases when my sister and I were young. Everyone is tired from being up so early and we decide to call it a day, a great day.
We organize and stack the gifts that are leaving with my sister’s family and trying to be helpful, my brother-in-law holds the door open so everyone can walk out with packages in arms. Not being accustomed to living with dogs, it did not occur to him that they can and do run out of open doors! I race outside in my socks to catch our 12-year old Yorkshire terrier before she runs out onto the road. Thank goodness, she is not as quick as she used to be – it could have been disastrous! I pick her up and cradle her in my arms as I look over at my brother-in-law who smiles and thanks me again for a lovely day – completely oblivious to the fact that my dogchild had just run out the door. Should I risk taking another Advil? (there must be a limit to how many one can take in a day!) Surely it must be time for bed! Merry Christmas to All and to All a good night.
Perhaps some of you are wondering what the “Houston’s Family Christmas” story has to do with pets. It has to do with the fact that many people insist on bringing a new pet into a home at Christmas – for most, a hectic time at best.
Two main factors are in play here; who chooses the pet and the timing of the acquisition/adoption. Successfully adding any pet to your family involves spending quality time with your new family member, financial planning and a long-term commitment. Choosing a pet should be a well thought out, family decision that encompasses all aspects of pet guardianship.
When I worked at the animal shelter people used to come in and apply to adopt pets as gifts or a family member or a friend during the Christmas season. We would try and explain how essential it was for adopters to choose their own pet, often to no avail. While many came to understand that the actual choice of the animal should be done with the ultimate guardian, many a determined gift giver would leave and end up acquiring the pet from another source.
While you might feel an instant attraction to the little 4-month calico kitten who playfully reaches out, the person you are choosing for might be drawn to the quiet, refined 2-year-old black and white tuxedo cat who sits majestically on the ledge. The young doberman/shepherd mix who wags and wiggles for your attention, also begs the consideration of housetraining, eventual size, costs involved and time available to train, all of which are essential to his future. Choosing a pet is a very personal decision, one that needs to be made by the person (s) who is going to hopefully spend a lifetime with that pet.
As for timing - try if you can, to imagine yourself as a new pet experiencing “The Houston Christmas” as your first day. More that a little frightening I’d say. Pets are often uncertain and anxious when first brought into a new home and need to be treated with patience, calm, and care. Even without the true-life chaotic scenario I just described, bringing a pet into the home at Christmastime is often an unwise idea. Unlike the sweater that Aunt Adele gave you, a pet can not be put in a drawer never to be seen again and treating one like a possession to be bought, sold and/or given away like a doll, a video game or a stocking stuffer is not the message we want to be giving our children.
This said I realize that many people do not celebrate Christmas in the traditional way and I also understand that there are many quiet, adult homes that may be considering adoption near the holidays because they have time off that offers the pet a period of transition and acclimation. However, it is still important to consider all aspects of pet guardianship and remember that once the holidays are over its back to business as usual – often with a very different schedule and available timelines.
The fact is, after the holiday season is over, many “Christmas” pets end up being given away, abandoned or taken to shelters - all of which could be avoided with common sense decisions and a little forethought. If you have truly thought through having a pet join your family and have reached the commitment stage, then think instead about wrapping up a bowl, a leash, an animal book or a bag of food and placing it under the tree. If you have children, you can explain that adopting a pet is for life not just for Christmas and that the decision and responsibilities of having a pet go far beyond “the big day”.
0 Comments for "The Houston's Family Christmas"