There are only 20 days left before Christmas, and parents are being bombarded with gift requests.

Sunday, December 05, 1999

There are only 20 days left before Christmas, and parents are being bombarded with gift requests. One of the most persistent is, "Can we get a puppy? Can we get a kitten?"

Although children and pets may seem to go together like peas and carrots, peas don’t always do a good job of taking care of carrots. Children aren’t always ready to handle the responsibility of an Akita puppy or even a kitten of unknown heritage. Between school and youth hockey, a dog’s needs for walks and a cat’s need to have its litterbox cleaned can be forgotten. Parents who work don’t always have the time or inclination to walk dogs or search for the missing cat, either. Getting an animal neutered may not take top priority.

The local Humane Society has had to expand its operations and ask for money from private donors as well as the city and county. With that in mind, be aware that while pets can be a wonderful addition to any household, if they aren’t going to be properly cared for, they shouldn’t appear under the tree Christmas morning.