Is an animal a good gift idea?

December 14, 2022
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    Parents want to make their children happy by giving them dream gifts. Often, wanting to give their children the best, they are able to get them the proverbial "star from heaven". During the year, there are many occasions for family celebration - including Christmas, birthdays, name days, etc. Also, guests invited to these special occasions often want to delight their hosts with an unusual gift or surprise.

    However, there are some types of gifts that we should seriously consider. For example, animals belong to this category. What if our guests or loved ones give us a pet? Can a dog given under the Christmas tree or as a birthday present be a good gift?

    Remember: a pet is not a gift

    In the age of the Internet, we can freely search the offers of various sellers so that choose something special for our birthday boy, be a birthday boy. It happens, however, that the gift received for Christmas or for a birthday is completely wrong in the opinion of the recipient. However, nowadays, this is no longer a problem. There are many websites or applications available on the Internet that make it easier to get rid of a troublesome gift. Everything is done then by placing such an unwanted gift, e.g. a woolen sweater, a glass vase or another mascot on sale, usually at a bargain price.

    What if a gift received is alivee creationfor the presence of which neither the recipient nor other household members are prepared? The joy when opening a beautifully wrapped gift can be endless. However, what if the euphoria lasts only a few minutes, which is often observed in children, and the unexpected gift turns out to be, for example, a rabbit, a cat or a dog under the Christmas tree?

    Buying any living creature as a gift is a definite mistake if it is not related to a responsible decision made earlier. A pet is not a gift - it cannot be accepted for a while and then abandoned - like other unwanted gifts.

    A dog as a gift: is it really a good idea?

    Before anyone decides to give a gift, for example, a dog for Christmas or for a birthday, they should first establish some important circumstances. According to the rule - an animal is not a gift, it is advisable to confirm that the creature will be accepted with joy and due respect. It is also advisable to establish that the recipient is responsible and that the household members, if necessary, will be able to participate in the care of the animal.

    Expert advises

    It should be emphasized that the animal is not a gift that can be treated as a toy. It is a creature that lives, feels, hears and sees, has its own physiological needs, requires care, space, sometimes treatment, vaccinations, tenderness and interest. Such a gift is not a temporary gift - it stays with us for many years. His presence should be taken into account in every situation, regardless of the recipient's plans, circumstances related to trips and holidays.

    Joanna Pruban
    Psychologist, pedagogue and specialist in psycho-oncology, Department of Oncology and Oncological Surgery for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mother and Child

    ZI believe as gift for a child

    What if the recipient is a child and the parents have not been informed about the idea? After all, the child itself is not able, due to its young age, cognitive abilities resulting from the developmental stage, time or financial possibilities, to take care of a dog or cat. It is the parents' responsibility to take care of the pet.

    The pet becomes the pet of the family and for the family. Everyone should take care of him together and find out together what is right and good for him. In such a situation and atmosphere, the pet chosen for the child, and in fact for the family, will have a chance for great friends and a responsible home.

    When the dog as a gift turns out to be a mistake

    If the pet turned out to be a "forced" or "too reckless" gift, the recipient may want to get rid of it by giving it to a shelter, and in extreme situations, abandoning it on the road or in the forest. A surprise in the form of a dog for Christmas or another occasion - accepted without desire, without joy, or only under the influence of momentary emotions, is a bad idea. Such a gift completely misses the point and is irresponsible behavior.

    Expert advises

    The dog cannot be a whim that the child will play with for a while and put on the shelf when he gets bored. This creature is alive, it is not an object, and by making the dog a gift, we reduce it to the category of things. In the case of adults - you can't just give the animal to the shelter or throw it out the door and get rid of it, like an unwanted gift. After all, dogs and cats are living creatures that also feel emotions. An animal is happy when it is loved and suffers when it is abandoned. He also needs peace and a sense of security, a constant group of people around, one owner and a safe shelter.

    Joanna Pruban
    Psychologist, pedagogue and specialist in psycho-oncology, Department of Oncology and Oncological Surgery for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mother and Child

    Don't make rash decisions

    When a decision is made on the subject of having, for example, a dog, be aware that this is the choice of a friend who will be our faithful companion for years to come. The emotions that a little puppy gives birth to, his sweet face, fluffy coat, are in many cases a bad adviser. Sometimes, due to the upcoming holidays, or other occasions, it happens that people feel that they have to do something good - hence the idea of ​​creating a home for a pet taken from a shelter often appears.

    When the first spell breaks, the animals pay a heavy price. Suddenly, a rescued pet turns out to be something embarrassing and limiting for a human. Everyday life becomes difficult if we do not take into account the fact that the dog defecate, requires leaving the house, also in rain, snow and at 5 am. In addition, he may need treatment, deworming, vaccinations. Plus, it demands constant attention.

    Reflection is born again by itself. Adopting or buying an animal cannot be an impulse, because it will quickly become just a chore. If a child, or even an adult, dreams of a friend in the form of a pet, then it must be a well-thought-out, personal matter and decision. Pets differ in appearance, character and temperament - such a friend is chosen carefully, considering both your own and family preferences. It is not enough to say that a dream is a cat, dog, parrot or guinea pig, and that another person will fulfill that desire.

    The subject of accepting an animal under the roof must be thoroughly explored and considered in many respects, including technical and logistic. The animal is not a gift, it is not an impulse, a moment or a whim, but a living creature that will expect commitment to its owner. You should be properly prepared for such a serious decision. Let us remember this.

    Author

    Joanna Pruban
    Psychologist, pedagogue and specialist in psycho-oncology, Department of Oncology and Oncological Surgery for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mother and Child

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