As the holidays approach, videos of “Christmas Puppies” have taken over my social media timeline. It’s difficult to resist the allure of these scenes, in which children and adults cry happily at the sight of an adorable puppy wearing a big birthday bow. However, as adorable as they are, these videos only tell a portion of the story.
Soon, this adorable fluffy ball will begin to bark, poop, and gnaw on his onion, heralding the arrival of a new parental pet. A new pet can be an excellent gift, but it can also be a difficult surprise.
Before you get your own puppy for Christmas, consider the benefits and drawbacks of having a new pet in the house. There’s no denying that having a dog in the house brings comfort and joy, but a new pet comes with a lot of responsibility, and an unprepared recipient may not be up to the task. The real work of raising puppies begins after the excitement of Christmas morning has worn off.
