Christmas Memories

Ready or not, Christmas is here!  For the past several weeks, or maybe months if you're organized enough to plan that far ahead, we've been consumed with all the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking/baking, and entertaining that's somehow always expected at this time of year.  Now it's time to be done with all of that craziness and think about what this season really means to us.  For me, it's soooo much more than just the festive foods and perfect presents...although those are great too!!!  Christmas is really about family and the special memories we create when we gather together. 

 

Since this blog is supposed to be focusing on our pets, let me remind you that some of the very best holiday memories are those involving the 4-legged members of our families.  Although I'm sure we've all gotten frustrated a time or two when our playful pets have torn the paper off our beautifully wrapped packages or they've chewed on the wires for the tree lights but, before we yell at them or ban them from the festivities, we should take a deep breath and remember that it is Christmas...a time to forgive...even our pets.  They just want to be a part of the holiday fun too, and that kind of fun is what makes all those magical memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

I hope you and your loved ones...especially the cute 4-legged ones...will be together this Christmas and will enjoy reliving old memories while creating new ones.  Memories are priceless gifts to cherish forever!!! 

 

Merry Christmas to all!!!

A Rescue Pet's Christmas Wish

Everywhere we go this time of year, we're reminded that this is the season of giving.  There's the person dressed up like Santa outside the Wal-Mart ringing that little bell and collecting money for the Salvation Army.  Then there are all those ads on the radio and TV with celebrities asking us to donate  to Toys for Tots.  And of course there are the local food drives collecting canned and boxed goods to feed the hungry.  There are even blood mobiles setting up in parking lots of busy shopping centers wanting us to donate blood for those who are sick or injured.  Yes, all of these are very worthy causes and they truly need our support, but there's one more very special group depending on our generosity every single day.  I don't know who wrote the poem below, but I thought it's message was an important one and definitely worth sharing with all of you. 

 

A Rescue Pet's Christmas Wish

 

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,

every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,

we hope every minute that someone will care,

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,

Come here, Sadie and Scooter - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days

we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew,

now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

 

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,

they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We jump on the children, don't come when they call

we bark when they leave us, climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,

now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew,

we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse - left to roam,

now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye,

Maybe someone else will give you a try.

 

So now here we are, all confused and alone,

in a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,

with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer,

we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads,

of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears,

our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

 

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn,

could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year,

can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat

and help get us something special to eat.

"Pet Pal Animal Shelter" wants us to live,

and more of us will, if more people will give!

 

So the next time you find yourself getting into the holiday spirit of giving, remember this story and do what you can to help make a rescue pet's Christmas wish come true!!! 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your hectic holiday preparations to read this. 

 

Merry Christmas to all and happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Pets For Presents?

Although the holiday season may seem like the perfect time to adopt a pet, this is a decision you should make with your head as well as your heart.  While adoption rates tend to increase at shelters around this time of year with everyone wanting to surprise their kids or elderly relatives with an adorable dog or cat for Christmas, by January, many of those pets are returning to the shelters as reality sets in.  Be sure this is what you want to do and make more than one visit to the shelter as there are new dogs and cats coming in all the time.  Be honest when you talk to the shelter staff and volunteers so they can help you find the best fit for your household.  Remember, the animals in shelters and rescues are safe and warm.  For those who have spent weeks or months on their own as strays, it is a comfort just to get regular meals and have someone speak kindly to them rather than shooing them away.  As for puppies and kittens, as long as they have another puppy or kitten to play with, they can make any day a holiday!

 

Here are some important things to consider before bringing that cuddly kitty or precious puppy home for Christmas. 

 

1.  Will you and your family have the time and patience to spend orienting your new pet to your household?  What’s the pace at your house normally, how does it change during the holidays, and how much time will you realistically be able to spend with a new pet?

 

2.  Can you afford the additional costs a pet will mean to your budget every month...especially when all the credit card bills from your Christmas shopping start rolling in?

 

3.  Are there plans for large family gatherings and many strangers in and out of your house during the holiday season?  If so, it may be better to hold off until after Christmas and welcome that new four-legged friend into your home once things settle down.

 

4.  If you already has other pets, will you have the time to supervise as your new addition gets acquainted with them, just in case territorial issues arise over space or toys?

 

5.  If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, be sure to carefully consider the time it takes to crate and house train, play time and time to take the puppy outside to go to the bathroom.  How will you react when the puppy does what puppies do...chew on anything in site until they learn which toys are theirs to chew on?

 

6.  Even house trained adult animals can have accidents in a new place as they get to know you and you learn to read their ways of communicating when they need to go out.

 

7.  Are you willing to make the lifetime commitment your new pet deserves?  Are you willing to work through potential behavior issues that might come up?  The pet you adopt has already been abandoned at least once...please don't be the next person to abandon him/her again because things "didn't work out."

 

If you take the time to answer these questions honestly and you still want to adopt a pet, it will be the ultimate present because you'll be saving the life of another living being and that is a priceless gift!  Just be sure you won't be standing in the returns line when the holidays are over because, in this case, the item you return will know exactly what is happening.  Of course there are no warranties on pets, but there are three things you can always count on: they will love you unconditionally, they will share your joys and sorrows, and no matter how your day has gone, a simple pat on the head or belly rub helps melt the stress away!  

 

So whether you decide to adopt a pet now or wait for a better time, making the choice to bring an animal from a shelter rather than one from a fancy breeder into your heart and home, makes you a true angel who is sharing the spirit of giving!  

 

Happy Holidays to all!!!