Dogs as Gifts?

[mi_bella]

lol when It came to dogs, my parents would choose breeds that were suited for our household (small, non shedding etc..) and I got to choose between those still got to pick, but between dogs that were right for us

That's sort of what we would do. Except we would get chihuahua. That was my mom's favorite breed so we'd chose the specific puppy, but the options were that.

We loved dogs in general though so they could've given us whatever and the excitment would've been there.

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

haha, bella was also a birthday gift to myself. my brother and sister helped me pay for her, though.

That's perfect.

You got exactly the gift you wanted ... and they got to contribute to her cost as their birthday gifts to you, and they didn't have to go out shopping and wonder what the heck to get for you ... and you would have ended up with yet another pair of earrings or something.

 

[mi_bella]

That's perfect.

You got exactly the gift you wanted ... and they got to contribute to her cost as their birthday gifts to you, and they didn't have to go out shopping and wonder what the heck to get for you ... and you would have ended up with yet another pair of earrings or something.

Pretty much. I did the research and found the right type and they helped me look for her, in fact, it was my brother who found her on petango.com but in the end, I had the final say, and she was perfect.

 

[bubbatd]

I wish I had made a copy of the video .....I wrapped the top separately and put a big bow on top . The box shook a bit and slowly the top was lifted by his darling head . He looked around and then hopped out . He had a wonderful family with a boy and girl about 8 and 10 . A perfect home /

 

[milos_mommy]

Milo was a birthday gift. And while I believe it was meant to be that he was my puppy...if I had known i was getting a puppy i would have done much more research and never allowed my parents to buy a pet store puppy.

 

[AllieMackie]

To me, pets are okay is gifts in VERY specific circumstances.

I never ever think someone should be surprised with a pet in their home, just like that. I think that perhaps giving the gift of paying for the adoption fee is bang on, but the person who will be OWNING the pet should choose them.

Our cat, June Bug, was a birthday gift to Matt, but HE went to the rescue and chose her. His family paid the adoption fee for him and bought him supplies.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Yeah, most of the time they are a bad idea... It can work out sometimes... but I dont think its a good idea unless you really really know the person.

Armani was sort of a gift... I really wanted a dog and my parents agreed to pay half...they actually found him too but that was unexpected they werent actually looking for him AND I saw him before any money was exchanged, so I had the choice of whether or not I wanted him. I think this is the best scenario, to offer to pay for, or chip in for a dog if you know someone really wants one.

Sadly no one offered to pay for half of Chloe, lol

 

[vanillasugar]

The reason I have such an open offer for Matt is that we've so frequently discussed what I do and don't want, and what we can and can't handle, that I have complete confidence in him choosing without me or for me. I also know full well that he would NEVER get me a puppy. While he *may* someday over the course of our lives together consider surprising me with a kitten or other, and that would be totally awesome

He knows I would never go out and buy myself a purebred cat, but also knows exactly which breeds I admire and would happily own. If it's left to me we will always get a rescue, but a purebred cat of a breed I've been admiring for years would be an awesome gift and would win him a TON of brownie points!

 

[Snark]

Yeah, usually a bad idea... We did get my Dad a puppy for Christmas but it was a family decision (excluding Dad, of course). For years, we'd listened to him reminiscing about an English Cocker he'd had as a youngster so we decided to surprise him one year. Lady was mostly Dad's dog but she was also jokingly referred to as the youngest 'child' by the rest of her 'siblings'. She was a treasured member of the family for her entire life.

 

[CaliTerp07]

When I volunteered at the shelter and someone wanted to adopt a rabbit as a gift, we'd suggest that the gift be the supplies--the cage/hutch, the exercise pen, toys, litter box, etc. Then we'd do all the home visit stuff ahead of time (assuming they lived together), so that the recipient of the animal could come and pick out their own rabbit (and we knew that the person really wanted it themselves!)

 

[Jules]

Under certain circumstances it's okay. But all parties have to know what the other one wants/can deal with, etc.

We adopted a kitten for my mom as a Christmas present two years ago- we knew that it would be an awesome fit and knew that my parents could care for her and would love her. But we are responsible people and so are they.

 

[SmexyPibble]

I say no. If someone wants a dog and agrees they are ready for the commitment, they can get their own. Otherwise, the puppy might be an impulsive "Oh, I love him so much," and then he gets old when he pees on the floor and grows up a little...

And then off to the pound he goes.

 

[PlottMom]

Liz was a xmas gift from my boyfriend 2 years ago... I suppose Rage is technically a birthday gift because we picked her up on my birthday, but she's really more "ours"... I don't know, we both wanted them, and impulsive as it's been at times, it's always worked out. I realize we're not the norm, however we're committed to the dogs we get, period.