John Verity, of Ebor Dog Training, is keen to make sure we think carefully before giving in to the idea of pets as presents this year and has sent in a timely festive reminder.
For more information on John have a look at his entry in the Purple Pages.
Meanwhile, here's John's Christmas tale...
Not many years ago, in a village not far from here lived a family, Mum, Dad, and the young twins. As Christmas approached Mum and Dad wondered what the twins would like for a special present as the children appeared to have all the toys and computer games that money could buy.
Mum and Dad decided to take the twins into the nearest city to look around the shops and see what the twins would really like for that special present and after visiting a number of shops the twins, who were now bored with looking round shops, complained of being hungry.
As the family made their way to a restaurant, one of the twins suddenly brightened up, as coming towards them was Mr Brown, who lived across the road from the family, with his two dogs. The twin who had spotted Mr Brown and the dogs pulled at Dads trousers and pointed at the dogs. "Aren't they lovely, Dad, I wish we had a dog". The other twin joined in with "Can we have a dog, Dad? Please".
"Lets go and have something to eat, and we will talk about it" said Mum, and Dad.
After ordering their meal Dad said to the twins "OK, why do you want a dog"
"So we can teach it tricks and take it for walks and get it to chase around after balls and sticks" the twins shouted excitedly.
"But what do you know about dogs?" said Mum. The twins fell silent and looked at each other.
"Not much but we can learn." The twins chorused.
"Let's look at the benefits and the work involved of owning a dog." said Dad.
"First the benefits." continued Dad
"It will get you two out of the house and off that computer and into the fresh air." said Mum.
"It will teach you about looking after other living beings." Dad added.
"It will be a companion to all the family when I have to work away from home." Dad explained.
"That's great Dad, so can we have a dog?" asked the twins.
By this time the meal had arrived, so Dad said, "Let's look at the work involved of owning a dog after we have eaten."
The twins ate very quickly, so quickly in fact that Mum had to ask them to eat properly and not to gobble their food.
When they all had finished eating, Mum and Dad said together, "So here is our list of the work involved in owning a dog."
"It has to be taken for a walk of at least 1 hour both in a morning and in an afternoon in all weathers."
"It has to be toilet trained so it does not mess in the house."
"It has to be groomed regularly."
"It has to go to dog training school to learn how to behave correctly"
"It has to be fed at morning and at night"
"We will need to register the dog with a veterinary practise in case it gets ill"
"We will have to buy a bed, its own food and water bowls, a collar and lead and toys for the dog"
"And what about holidays? We cannot always take a dog with us, so it would have to go into kennels"
"Remember you two; a dog is a living animal that requires love and attention for all its life. That could be 10 to 12 years or even longer depending on the breed of dog, and that could cost an awful lot of money and take up an awful lot of time" added Dad. "So do you think it is still a good idea at this time to get a dog?"
The twins looked at each other and agreed. "So it's true what that sticker on the window of Mr Browns' car says. A dog is for life. Not just for Christmas"
"Well done" said Mum, and added, "Lets look for a dog in a few years time when you two are older and can look after it properly, and in the meantime I will ask Mr Brown if you can help look after his dogs and we all can go for walks with him and his dogs. That will give you the experience of looking after dogs without the commitment of owning one".
"What do say to that idea." added Dad.
"That sounds great." voiced the twins. "So can we upgrade the Scalextric racing car track instead of getting a dog for Christmas."
Dad smiled. "I will go along with that idea." he said.
This happy family had a really Merry Christmas but unfortunately the twins could not get near the Scalextric racing car track because Dad, Grandad and Uncle Jim played on it all Christmas Day. So Mum and the twins went for a walk with Mr Brown and his dogs, while Grandma and Auntie Lucy did the washing up after lunch.
That meant everyone was happy, even Grandma and Auntie Lucy who enjoyed a small glass of sweet sherry each while they washed the dishes after lunch.
Remember. Over half the dogs and puppies that are given as Christmas presents are either abandoned or returned to rescue centres in January, so before deciding that a dog, or any other living creature, is a good idea for a present think what the twins said. "A DOG IS FOR LIFE. NOT JUST CHRISTMAS
'A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS' is the slogan of The Dogs Trust, a national dog rescue and rehoming centre.
