Animal Chatter
by Iris Winston
Scratch puppies and kittens off your Christmas gift lift. It doesn’t matter how hard children or grandchildren have begged for a pet or how nice or naughty they have been for months. The holiday season is just the wrong time to introduce a new animal into a household that is likely to be busy and noisy.
Simply put, there is too much happening for the pup or kitten to receive the attention he deserves as part of his welcome to a new environment. All the hyperactivity and organized chaos associated with the holiday season will be very frightening for any animal, especially in a strange place. An animal away from his mother and litter mates for the first time is already disoriented, scared and trying to adjust. This is exactly when he needs the full attention of his caregivers in his new home.
That is not going to happen when homeowners are preparing mountains of food in a house full of guests and kids are preoccupied with the latest electronic marvels among a stack of new toys. Little wonder if the newcomer seeks shelter in a dark corner or under a bed or couch, hoping for a little peace and quiet.
From a practical perspective, will the pup’s new owners remember to establish his regular feeding routine and to take him outside 20 minutes or so after he has eaten to begin house-training him when so much is happening around them? And it is important to take him out, rather than just opening the door to the backyard. How will he learn unless he is praised for doing what you want him to do where you want him to do it? Who will watch to make sure a kitten doesn’t start playing with any tinsel or breakable ornaments on the tree and perhaps choke after swallowing a string? (Both should be avoided in any case when there is a young animal in the house.)
Most of all, who will give the new babes the comfort and love that are a major part of helping them settle into their new home? Every animal deserves your time and being more than the result of an impulsive acquisition or the whim of a gift giver.
While the holiday season is the worst time to give or bring a live being into the house, it is essential for every member of the family to be on board with the idea at any time. Having a majority in favour is not good enough. Choosing the new family member should be a joint decision agreed on by every member of the household. Everyone should be involved in caring for and about a pet and understand that their commitment is for the life of the animal. That is 13 years or more for a dog and 15 plus for a cat. (I had one dog who lived for 16 years and two cats who lived to be 20 or more.) That is time enough for kids to finish school and head off to university or college, so even if they really care about the animal and deal with the bulk of feeding, training, grooming, walking and even vet visits, after they leave home, their parents become the primary caregivers.
From another perspective, it is a sad fact that animal shelters are usually crowded in January, February and March. Many of the animals were gifts, delivered without checking on various recipients’ willingness to make an animal a meaningful part of family life for several years. Others are surrendered because of so-called behavioural problems. Probably this means no-one paid enough attention to the animal’s needs or training when he first arrived during the holiday season.
If you did check to ensure that everyone in the family was ready for an animal companion, be wise. Give such items as a food dish, leash or pet bed as tokens—all to indicate preparations are underway for the new family member. But wait until the holiday rush is over before going with the family to the local animal shelter, rescue organization or reputable breeder. This special outing is not a shopping trip. It is an adoption excursion. And adoption is about making a connection between the animal in question and the family taking him into their home. Personalities, energy levels and type must be a good fit. So, no surprises. Grandparents may be happy to foot the bill, but the family taking the new resident into their home for the rest of his life must be sure the adoption is in everyone’s best interests—human and animal. Taking action in the right order and time paves the way for new pets to be properly welcomed and cared for. Then you will see how much love they have to give and how much joy they can provide for many years.
Almonte, Ontario, writer Iris Winston is a former executive director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. She has been an animal lover all her life. Her pets have always been important members of her family.
