AIBU as my BIL and SIL are buying their son a dog for christmas?

[andyrobo237]

Controversial one this, as a dog is for life not Christmas, but....

I have just found out that they are buying their 4 year old a dog for christmas, collecting it on Christmas Eve. Presumably they are getting all the other stuff - bed, food, lead, etc as well.

I do not have a problem as such with it in principle, but I think it is a bit unfair to give it as a present. He is well into the usual power rangers, spiderman, etc and I can imagine his face when he realises that the dog is just his present! Nothing else!

They will be fine with a dog, as SIL is around all day, and they have admitted it was a dog or a baby (newphew is an only child), but my reasoning was that they should have got the dog a week before or a week after christmas, and get him a small usual present for Christmas day, not make the dog the focus of his present. I have no reason to think the dog would not be well loved or wanted, but the timing seems wrong.

I was also surprised that a breeder would allow a dog to be collected on Christmas Eve!

Any thoughts??? Anyone done this>???

Desi - depends on the dog

And if I got a dog for DS2 or DD they would be over the fucking moon!

But I won't because it would be unfair on the dog (We both work) and x-mas is not good timing.

But please don't feel sorry for the child not having a piece of plastic playery

I would say it depends on the child. My 6yo DD would have been delighted with a puppy and no presents. My 4yo DS less so as he has been talking about Lightning McQueen cars for months.

Oh! But I do, I do ...

A Transformer is for life.

Our kids are getting a dog for Christmas. In fact she came in October (two days before dd's birthday) we have been waiting all year for her, as we wanted a specfic dog. My son who is 9 chronologically but in reality much younger is over the moon, as he has a friend now. But, if he had come Xmas eve, then so be it, we are a responsible couple who would make sure that we had made precautions to protect the dog frombeing over stressed at that time, I am sure your sil and bil, will have done the same.

I think its significant that the slogan 'A dog is for life...' is that of the Dog's Trust. Who are experts on dog homing... I bet they don't let many go out right at Christmas time, however keen they are to home animals. The vet spelled it out pretty well. Also, a dog is a living thing, a responsibility, a best friend... not a present to be played with or trashed by a small child.

Hopefully all will be well in this case, but I don't think the breeder is acting responsibly. I know a little boy who's getting a rabbit, the breeder times them not to be ready around xmas (boy told it arrived early because Santa isn't allowed to carry livestock on sleigh )

Grimma- the SSPCA put a hold on rehoming any pets from the start of December here, despite the fact they are full, and I imagine the Dogs Trust will have a similar policy. As far as breeders go, there are many who follow suit, but it is entirely up to the individual

I can totally understand your feelings. We just got a puppy for ds - 10 days before his birthday and 2 weeks before xmas.

PIL asked if he could be their present and I said no, because I'm uncomfortable with dogs as gifts. Our puppy is being welcomed into the family as a sibling would be.

Fortunately we don't do exciting xmases or birthdays round here so hopefully the puppy won't be too affected by the timing.