The Christmas Puppy

We’ve all seen the commercials on television—big brown eyes peering from a box under the Christmas tree.  The family squealing with delight over this special present that proves once and for all “there is a Santa Claus.”

But what happens after Christmas is not so enchanting. Puppies pee (often on the expensive rug), puppies chew (sometimes the leg of the antique table) puppies dig (yep, your pride and joy flower bed) and they cry in the night when you are trying to sleep because they are a puppy. 

It takes patience and love to get through the puppy stage.  It takes an owner who is willing to work with and watch a puppy—just like you would a toddler.

Many people are not prepared or even want to deal with a puppy. Then the cute little puppy is often banned to the backyard, taken to a shelter or illegally “dropped off” somewhere. 

Even if your household makes it through the puppy stage, a dog is a fifteen or better year commitment.  They require your love, time and money. And when they get old, they often revert to the puppy stage of urinating in the house and they may require even more of your money for vet bills.

For those of us who love dogs and have no desire to live in a home without them, it is worth it! For many people it is not! There is no shame there.  The shame is in getting the puppy when you are not ready!

A puppy is not a toy!  Please never give one as a gift without the recipient’s knowledge of the forthcoming gift and readiness to care for it.  Also, if a puppy is a Christmas gift to a family with children, the children will not be the ones caring for it. They are simply not equipped.  

When your family is ready to welcome a dog into your home, begin teaching responsibility for caring for an animal and visiting shelters and rescues to choose one that will hopefully be a member of your family, bringing you joy and love, for many, many years.   ​


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Shelia Huffman, Contributor
Shelia recently moved to the Greenwood community of Midland from Dallas where she was a staff writer for White Rock Lake Weekly and a columnist for Bubblelife Media.  A retired travel agent and event planner, she has  been an animal activist her entire life.  Shelia  has a daughter and son-in-law in Midland, a grandson in Dallas and a granddaughter at Texas Tech. She lists cooking and writing about food, and,  of course, playing with her Terrier Mix rescue, Penelope, as some of her favorite things.