A pet for Christmas?

Jodi-Ann Gilpin, POSITIVE Parenting Writer

By now you must have started to see the Christmas decorations around the city and feel the chrispness of the breeze, because the holiday season is upon us. With it, I'm sure, most parents have started receiving their children's Christmas list.

Pets have always been, for the most part, the favourites of many children.

For five-year-old Jaden Wilson, he is looking forward to receiving his poodle dog come Christmas Day.

His sister Ashley, told POSITIVE Parenting that, her brother has been fond of dogs from as early as one year old.

"He is just in love with dogs. When my father bought him his first dog he couldn't stop staring, he wants to bathe it, he want to comb its hair, he would even go outside sometimes and just stand staring at it," she said.

"He's really excited about it, and we are all looking forward to unveiling his gift to him come December," she said excitedly.

Jaden's mother, Jacqueline Wilson, cannot wait for the time to come to present her son with his Christmas gift.

"All my children are animal lovers, especially Jaden, and his father and I just decided that we would get one for his Christmas and I know he will be happy," she said.

Similarly, eight-year-old Michael Christie, who hails from Montego Bay, is yearning to have a pair of birds for his Christmas. His mother, Daneil Christie, said though she is contemplating whether she will be able to take care of the birds, she wants to make him happy.

"My son told me from early that he wants a pair of birds for his Christmas. He loves those things so, though I'm not so fond of the idea, I think I'm just going to grant him his wish," she said.

Like Daneil, we all need to first think if we are prepared both physically and mentally for an addition to our families.

Veterinarian Claudette Foster, shared that families should seriously discuss the pros and cons when thinking of getting a pet.

"Consider carefully, how a pet will affect your family's daily lifestyle and do diligent research on which type and breed is best suited to your family and home. Never choose your new pet based on cuteness or wishful thinking," she advised.

It may be that the pet you think is most unlikely to be your perfect companion is the very one that is. Besides, having family talks over the joys and responsibilities of pets, reading books on the care and training of the breed you are hoping to bring into your family is important. Also, make some time to visit your local animal shelter.

Discuss how a new pet will change the family's life with your children, even older children. It is easy to imagine that the older a child is, the easier it will be to enlist them in the care of the pet, but older children tend to have more social engagements, and may not have a lot of time to spend with the pet. A pet can change a lot of the family's day-to-day arrangements.

Even the way you present the pet as a gift must be considered.

A lot of people feel that the most wonderful way to present a new pet is by surprise, but the last thing you want is a frightened, cowering little animal that is overwhelmed by the kids' squeals of excitement and clamouring for an opportunity to hold it. Christmas morning is an especially chaotic time, with everyone tearing into gifts, hazardous (to little animals) strings and wrappings all over, and the usual loud toys that can be disturbing to even the most seasoned holiday veteran.

All the best guys. Happy pet hunting!