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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that people have learned nothing?

18 replies

Myglassesareknackered · 23/12/2018 18:25

Really shocked by the number of posts on social media I’ve seen today by people saying they are collecting their dog/puppy today or tomorrow for Christmas. Have people really learned nothing from public awareness campaigns?
Pets are not presents!

OP posts:
brizzledrizzle · 23/12/2018 18:29

The onus is surely on the seller not to allow it? We got a new pet last Xmas - chosen, paid for and so on about 5 days before Xmas

HollyBollyBooBoo · 23/12/2018 18:29

I get what you mean, however my next door neighbours did this last Christmas and it worked out well. They didn't have people staying with them, it was just the 2 of them and they had over 2 weeks holiday so could settle the puppy in well.

brizzledrizzle · 23/12/2018 18:30

...sent too soon
It wasn't as an xmas present, a previous pet had just died and so we were buying another one, we went to collect him on Boxing Day.

ChristmasTwatteryDoesMyHeadIn · 23/12/2018 18:30

Stupid people will always be stupid. No amount of education or awareness will sink in.

Stephisaur · 23/12/2018 18:31

Pets aren’t presents, no, but if now is when the litter is ready then you have little other choice.

They might have been planning this pet for months, in which case it isn’t just a present.

AllKinds · 23/12/2018 18:35

To be fair, I'd love a dog for Christmas.

Childhood dream goals.

ChristmasTwatteryDoesMyHeadIn · 23/12/2018 18:35

Can I clarify, by stupid people I meant ones who view a pet as a novelty present.

Original poster
Myglassesareknackered · 23/12/2018 18:37

These are people we know who’ve never previously had dogs, and whose children have nagged them into submission. Several have never even had another pet, let alone dog, in recent memory (ie since they were kids).
My eldest’s godmum got a ‘new’ (rescue) dog a week or so ago - her dog died in the summer, she’s a young widow and can’t face the winter alone. Fine, she’s had a dog before, but the three or four others I’ve seen are complete novices. Now is not the time for puppies! Yes, the breeders shouldn’t sell, but the buyers are just as culpable.

OP posts:
NewYoiker · 23/12/2018 18:41

I've had some shitty responses to having a puppy at Christmas. We got her yesterday, initially we were on a waiting list for over a year but actually my husband was reserved the puppy from the rescue centre he sent the litter and their mum to after his clients were made homeless.

She has joined a 9 year old mongrel and will be ours for 15+ years. We've been talking about getting a puppy for 2 years and we're very prepared for the horrible teenage period. So judge away but she'll be going to work with my husband and we're in it for the long haul.

brizzledrizzle · 23/12/2018 18:43

Newyorker if only all new dog owners were responsible like you.

Original poster
Myglassesareknackered · 23/12/2018 18:47

NewYoiker if only everyone was as responsible as you! I’m talking about people who have never had a dog before and no idea about all that it entails.

OP posts:
Ragevibration · 23/12/2018 18:51

If somebody has never had a dog before and doesn't know what it entails then why does it matter if they pick it up at Christmas or in June?!

Everyone has to have a first dog eventually.

And no I agree a dog isn't a Christmas gift but I'm not seeing your point.

NeverTwerkNaked · 23/12/2018 18:57

We’ve been planning on getting a dog for years. We’re waiting until the time is right and our jobs fit with what a dog will need. We will have done plenty of the research by the time we find one, and if that happens to be around Christmas time then that is coincidence but wouldn’t make us less conscientious dog owners.

NewYoiker · 23/12/2018 18:59

@Myglassesareknackered sorry that's a bit different. Yeah it's not fun getting a puppy at Christmas when it's busy and stressful. We're having Christmas alone this year because we got the call 4 weeks ago she would be ready on the 22nd so we cancelled plans and will be walking to the pub with the dogs (puppy carried) and that's about it. Both sets of parents are upset but whatever it's our life and our puppy and we won't have her being stressed :)

Dotty1970 · 23/12/2018 19:04

I don't understand the bit that they haven't had a dog before..... What does that have to do with Christmas/present as it is everyone's first time for a dog at first.... Not sure i understand what I have put now

werideatdawn · 23/12/2018 19:05

I can't think of a worse time to settle a brand new puppy than Christmas Day! People must be mad. Although I suppose if they have some time off work over this period it is probably the best time for them. We got our puppy in Summer and it was fantastic. I don't you're less responsible to get a puppy at Christmas, you're just either very committed or a bit dim. If the latter, it will end up being rehomed.

BiteyShark · 23/12/2018 19:09

We got our puppy at the end of November a few years back. However it wouldn't have mattered one bit if it had been Christmas Eve because there is only DH and I and we don't have any visitors for Christmas. Not everyone has lots of people and a loud Christmas.

Prisonbreak · 23/12/2018 19:21

I lost my dog this year. He was my entire world and ultimate best friend and I still cry every day because I ache so badly for him. I’m not ready yet to take on a new dog and I might not ever be. But should the day come where I can accept the loss of my boy and accept a new a dog into my life... if that day falls around Christmas, I’d like to hope I wouldn’t be judged for that

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