WORCESTER, Mass., Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Dear Santa:
I'm writing to you as the mom of three boys who would absolutely
love a puppy for Christmas. Oh, the joy a puppy would bring
on Christmas morning. It would be priceless! Our dog,
Biscuit, an 8-year-old beagle mix, is a celebrity in our house,
outranking mom and dad on a regular basis. Santa, the boys
have been so good this year, and I say that with a forgiving heart
and not the heart of a mom who just last weekend reminded the
little one that throwing snowballs inside the house is a violation
of the rules.
But here's the thing, Santa. While it would make for an
epic – and yes, that's the word the boys would use – Christmas to
see the joy that would erupt when a furry little puppy with a big
red bow emerges from under the tree, it simply should not be.
Now I know I sound more like Ebenezer Scrooge than a kind, loving
mother. But it simply can't happen this way in our house,
Santa. Just as a stork didn't swoop down and bestow three
boys on us unexpectedly one night, you should not deliver a new
four-legged family member to us as a "gift".
A new pet is a new family member and should not be put in the
same category as a toy car or the latest video game, which after a
few hours of playtime end up in the Toy Room Hall of Fame or lost
under a bed. You see, Santa, my boys are the lucky—or
unlucky—children of a veterinarian.
If and when we do bring a new pet into our home, there will be
dozens of teachable moments that will last a lifetime. Before
we decide on a pet and where we will get it, we will talk about
sizes and breeds that will suit our family. We'll talk about
puppy versus dog, ultimately settling on a dog because this vet mom
feels better taking in an adult dog in need of a home than a puppy
who still has that adoptability advantage based on its
cuteness. As a family we will make sure the house and yard
are ready to safely contain our new pet, discussing hazards the
puppy may take an interest in, like electrical cords and toxic
foods such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, and gum containing
Xylitol. Getting Chinese food is certainly a treat in our
house. But a wooden teriyaki skewer tops this vet mom's list
of hazards because they are harmful if swallowed and cannot be seen
on an X-ray. Preparation will include a discussion about
costs: adoption fees, food, supplies, flea, tick, and other
preventions. That's on top of vaccinations and unplanned
veterinary costs, including surgical and emergency care. We
will consider pet insurance, the benefits, the drawbacks, and how
it will add to our monthly bills. We will discuss how we hope
this new dog will have the same calming presence that Biscuit has,
assisting with moments of anxiety rampant in our house. But
we'll be realistic and understand that every dog is
different. We could end up with a nervous, loud, or
destructive dog, and while training can help, there may be
challenges. Finally, we will discuss the hard realities of
life; some animals encounter unexpected illness or accidents and,
even when all goes well, there is still the inevitable aging
process and the short lifespan of pets.
So yes, Santa, a puppy tops their list, but please ignore
it. I'll take the fall for you, letting them know mom asked
this wish go unanswered. The joy of bringing a new pet into
our home comes with big lessons about commitment, responsibility,
love, life, and loss.
Thank you, Santa.
Julie Bailey
Julie Bailey, DVM, is Dean of
Becker College's School of Animal
Studies and Natural Sciences and Allerton Chair of Animal Health
Sciences who spent the past 15 years as a veterinarian, working in
emergency medicine and surgery. Becker
College, located in Worcester and Leicester, Mass., is an undergraduate and
graduate, career-focused private college, with distinctive programs
in animal studies, game design, nursing, and more.
www.becker.edu
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SOURCE Becker College