'Tis the Season.....

Every year, like clockwork, I start to get more and more personal texts and emails about dogs needing homes.  The chaos of Christmas is upon us, and yes, I know you and your family are under a lot of stress.  This stress can sometimes lead us to believe that we need to "find a new home" for the family pet.  Sometimes, it's for legitimate reasons, sometimes it's a simple training or boarding problem, but most of the time, it adds up to some poor dog being dumped at a scary shelter, where he knows No One, and has no idea what he did to end up there.
 

He is alone.









Shelters fill up this time of year folks.  And to add to this misery, Christmas puppies are coming.  The annual rush that uninformed Humans feel to "Give" someone a dog.  Please don't do this.  Buying a puppy for Christmas is not only risky, you are most likely supporting a puppy mill situation with your money. 

I won't harp that point to death (there are plenty of organizations and individuals doing that right now), but I will say this:
If you feel you absolutely MUST give someone a dog for Christmas, how about giving them a gift certificate that says you will pay the adoption fee for a pup They get to choose, from the local Animal Shelter. 

Now they have a choice.  If getting a dog is something they actually want to do, as in, they want to sign up for the 12-19 year commitment that is an animal's life, they can now go get one they actually want.  And if they don't want a dog, you can still offer to donate that adoption fee.  Orrrrr get them a ski pass, whatever. 

I work with a few people, right now, who have told me things like "I had no plans to get another dog, but when I got home, there was a puppy," or "We had planned on traveling, now that the kids are gone, but our daughter bought us this guy..."  These are people who realized they were now saddled with another responsibility, and didn't have the heart (thank goodness) to dump it, and didn't want to hurt the feelings of the Giver.

Those dogs are the lucky ones.
Most unwanted "gift puppies" are relegated to unfulfilled lives in the backyard, or tied on a chain.  Treated badly, or worse.....

There are some requests that break my heart.  I am looking for a placement situation right now, for two dogs who belong to a gentleman who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  He has cared for his "girls" for 7 and 8 years.  They are his family.  He is worried about what will happen to them after he departs this earth; he has less than three months to live, according to his doctors.....I am praying for an angel. 

This time of year, everyone wants that "gift puppy," no one wants two dogs together that aren't cute anymore.

Please don't buy anyone a surprise pet this year.  Think of other ways to give it, before running out and dropping a thousand bucks on a dog that was most likely birthed to a mother living in a cramped cage, out back in a shed, without heat, light or love.....

oh, and if you are that Angel...Please contact me
r.coffmandt@yahoo.com