Sunday, December 14

Local SPCA Makes me Hopping Mad

Free Clipart Picture of a Puppy and a Kitten Asleep in a Santa Hat. Click Here to Get Free Images at Clipart Guide.com
I am not thrilled with the local SPCA. There was a piece in the newspaper that encouraged people to adopt a pet or give a pet as a Christmas gift. Everyone knows that this is not a good idea. The manager of the SPCA is apparently not familiar with the mischief that pets get into over the Christmas holidays.

Christmas is a dangerous time of year for pets. To begin with, when you bring a new puppy into your home, he should have time to adjust to the family before a lot of guests are welcomed into the home. Imagine yourself as a puppy, being taken out of your familiar and safe environment. You go into a strange place and then dozens of people come in and out of that place for days on end. You are insecure, frightened and have no idea what is going on or what will happen next. There is a strange tree decorated with all types of inticing decorations. There is food left on the coffee table and that chocolate smells so good. You would love to get into it and have a feast. Unfortunately if that happens the puppy will be extremely ill and could even die.

There are strings to chew. You don't realize that these are electric because, whether you are a cat or dog, you have no sense of the danger that lurks inside these wires. You have no conception of electricity. You love playing with those silver things hanging from that strange tree and you eat them. Suddenly you are choking. You gasp for breath and the next thing you know, you are on the way to the vets for emergency treatment.

Another scenario - you are a kitten or puppy and manage to swallow some tinsel and icicles. You seem to be fine but within 24 hours you are in a terrible state. You don't know what is wrong but you are feeling terrible. Next thing you know, you are in the vets office being treated for tinsel that is wrapped around your intestines. You are extremely ill and you hear the vet tell your owner that you may not make it.

Last scenario. (I expect I'm getting my point across by now.) You are a kitten or puppy that is given for a gift to a child. The child has no knowledge of how to care for a pet. For the first couple of weeks, you are a novelty, just like a toy. The child plays with you and pays a lot of attention to you. Suddenly there is no playing, no affection and food and water is only put down sporadically. You have been cast off like a toy because the child looks upon you as a toy instead of a living, breathing pet.

Please do not give animals as gifts this Christmas no matter who tells you that it is okay. It's not okay. Instead give an IOU and wrap up a leash, collar and dog toys if you really want your child to have a pet. He will get the idea and then in January, you can take him to pick out the puppy or kitten of his choice. This will make for a much better relationship between the child and his pet.

By no means give a pet to anyone other than your children. Pets are expensive and there is a committment to the pet for 12 to 15 years and sometimes more. Not everyone can afford to care for a pet and not everyone wants that kind of responsibility.

As a footnote, I want to add that I phoned the SPCA and was told that I didn't know what I was talking about. I told that lady that it was my opinion that they were only trying to get the animals out of the shelter. She said, "Of course. That is our job." I was furious and I don't feel that the people at the local SPCA are cut out for their jobs. I will be investigating this further.




There's not a lot happening here. Hubby and I are now both fighting that nasty virus. I've had it since December 1st and though the symptoms are not as prominent, I'm still sneezing, coughing and have a stuffy head. Nothing seems to help for long. We've been eating chicken soup and sipping both green and Breathe Easy Tea. These help for a little while, but don't last long.

I've been attempting to get the house ready for Christmas, but after a couple of hours I just go and lie down for another nap. Things are not progressing much. Today hubby went to sleep on the couch and I went to the bedroom to read for a bit. Before I knew it, it was 5pm and time to get us a bite to eat. Needless to say I slept away the time I should have been decorating and doing other chores.

Try to keep away from people with this virus. It is nasty and it takes at least 2 weeks to get over it. If I'm not feeling more like myself by Tuesday, I will be going back to the doctor. This is hanging on far too long.

Take care and enjoy time with your family this weekend. ~Blessings, Mary~

23 comments:

  1. Mary - Don't worry about decorating or chores. Just rest and get better! PS - I'd be upset with that kind of article too!

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  2. I agree with you about adopting animals at this time of year, especially if the decision isn't well thought out before hand and is on the spur of the moment.

    Sorry you're still fighting that virus or whatever it is. I've had a cold or allergies again myself and I'm wondering if I'm ever going to be healthy again this Winter.

    Hope you and your hubby feel better soon, Mary.

    Much love and Merry Christmas! :o)

    Diane

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  3. yes absolutely agree with you, of course they want to get rid of the animals but I also hope they are properly investigating the type of homes that they are going to end up in. Too many animals end up unwanted once the novelty of xmas wears off. Hope you get better Mary, praying for you here *hugs*

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  4. I agree with you on this subject my friend. Praying for you and hubby to feel better.

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  5. I agree with you, wholeheartedly, about the adoption of pets this time of year!!! Keep after them, Mary! It is people like you who can, and DO, make a difference! Our shelter here has certain rules for adoptions...such as NO black cats are adopted out around Halloween. I think I will call and find out what they say about adopting pets as Christmas gifts for children....

    Sorry that you and hubby have been so sick with that virus. You just rest now and get better before the holiday arrives!

    (((((( HUGS ))))))

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  6. You go girl and speak your mind. We far too often see things like this and just fuss among ourselves.. I love to hear that you get involved is such things.......... and as for napping, you so need to do that so that you can get better......Your body is needing rest. Christmas is far too stressful anymore and we need to stop! Life goes on without all the decorations....... I have my tree sitting in front of my window but there is still an roll of beads to be put on the tree...... Oh well....... Life is good anyway......... Hope you get to feeling better and get lots of rest.......! Dennis and I carry with us all the time a little bottle of that antibacterial hand cleaner......We remind each other all the time, do not touch our nose or mouth or eyes as there is where the virus enters.......... and CLEAN our hands a lot after leaving a public place....!!!!!!! we are so not wanting that flu! Praying for you girl !

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  7. adopting a pet at this time of the year may not be the britest idea that the SPCA could come up with.Maybe they were thing of this as a way to find new home for the cats and dogs that are overwhelmig the shelters.

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  8. I hope you feel better soon.
    Being sick is no fun at all, and it takes the Ho Ho Ho out of the holidays.
    Rest well and recover soon.
    :-)

    I like your idea of giving an IOU and wrapping a leash or pet toys. It's kind of like opening a box with a car key in it or an envelope with travel tickets enclosed.
    The real gift comes later.

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  9. Mary, you're so right about pet adoptions around the holiday. I can understand the SPCA wanting to have the pets adopted, but all the points you made are valid ones.

    Hope you and your husband are feeling better soon.

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  10. Get well soon, agree with you pets are not a good idea at Christmas ,pretty seasonal layout for your blog

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  11. I agree with what you said about giving pets for gifts. I don't believe a pet is meant for a child but the entire family. I just can't see a child caring for a pet long term. That usually falls to the Mother.

    It sounds to me like you needed to rest. I think you should concentrate on getting well. I know you had all those cards to do. Hopefully you are resting while you do them. Stress is very much a part of our celebration because we overplan and then overdo. Please take care of yourself.
    Mama Bear

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  12. Hear, hear! But remind me not to get you annoyed. ;)

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  13. I guess I'm one who will stand by the animal shelter. I as a child received pets for Christmas. And they were the BEST presents ever. I have very fond memories of getting my first kitten.

    I can't place the 'blame' on the shelters at all. I, if I had to place blame, would have to say that HUMANS aren't the responsible ones in all the scenarios!!

    Hope you're feeling well real soon. We've had the same thing, but Bud and I feel much better today.

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  14. Mary
    Hope that nasty virus is on the run. I am still coughing and get tired also. I was told by those who have finally gotten over it that it takes a good month to be well again. I guess we have a ways to go. That goats milk lotion sounds heavenly. I must visit her someday soon.
    Today we head out in the WIND to secure a tree.
    Peace be with you.

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  15. I forgot to tell you that Sam Cat was a Christmas present to Mimi a few years back. I had to go almost to Alabama to find him. No Siamese kittens in the paper that year. I think he adjusted quite well as he was kept in her bedroom and only came out to visit. If the dog or cat is wanted by the person, it is not a bad think to give them as a gift. Peace

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  16. Hi again Mary...
    Enjoy the time shopping with your grandson.

    And I asked Bud if he thought that Christmas was a bad time for buying pets...he said "More than likely, yes". But he also said that "Perhaps it's not any different than buying silly putty and not watching your kids with it". So, guess I'm the only one that LOVED gettin my kitty for Christmas. Altho, Santa knew I wanted it. LOLOLOL

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  17. I'm back....like a cold sore that won't go away, huh?

    Well, I just wanted you to know that I passed on the Christmas Spirit award to you today. Come by when you can and pick it up if you'd like.

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  18. Mary,

    I think that buying a pet for someone as a Christmas gift *could* be a good thing. But it's important to consider the person(s) and if the pet is for a child, get permission from the parents first.

    Holidays are the worst for spontanteous pet buying. A good example is Easter. Many people will go into the pet stores and buy baby bunnies - because they are real and the kids think the bunnies are cute - and then a few days later the bunnies are abandoned on the side of the road or in the woods.

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  19. This must be what my husband has. it started with a sore throat and coughing..then he got really sick and had a fever..Now going on 2 weeks he is coughing all of the time. Nothing is helping him at all. Hm!!
    Sorry to hear that the animal people did not understand but I see your side..you are right!!

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  20. Hello Mary,
    I stayed and visited a while. The Santa letter Poem was touching. I could not agree any more with you on the pets . I like your suggested leach idea. How wonderful it was to see Talk to Grams get back to us. Your so full of deserving receiving so many sweet gifts. Be hugged and warmed in the glow.

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  21. I completely agree with you. It is irresponsible for the SPCA to condone adopting animals at this time of year. Not a good idea at all. Hope you are feeling better.

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  22. I think adopting pets at Christmas time is just about as bad as adopting bunnies at Easter time!! I know that a lot of children ask for a kitty or puppy for Christmas and I love your idea of giving them an IOU for after the holidays when things are back to normal. I was at my mom's yesterday putting up her tree...the first thing her kitty did was try to chew on one of the mini lights!!!

    Oh dear, so sorry to hear that you are both still fighting off that virus. Hopefully it won't last much longer!! xoxo

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  23. Having a pet is a huge responsibility and deserves some serious consideration-not a spur of the moment decision.

    Hope you feel better soon.

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