Would You Give A Pet As A Gift?

[+ Avalon]

On the recent episode of "The Resident" a doctor who had forgotten it was his girlfriend's birthday gave her a puppy. Some puppies had been brought to the hospital as therapy for the patients.

 

When my aunt retired her co-workers gave her a dog. I thought that was the worst gift ever! Finally she was free, she could travel but now was tied down with a dog to care for. SHAME!

[Bearofdistinction]

Only if you KNOW for a fact that the person wants a specific pet and has not gotten said pet due to the cost of acquisition.

[YoungAD]

When my aunt retired her co-workers gave her a dog. I thought that was the worst gift ever!

 

But what did she think of the dog?

[Nvr2Thick]

Only if you KNOW for a fact that the person wants a specific pet and has not gotten said pet due to the cost of acquisition.

 

"Specific pet" would have to be the specific individual animal, not just the type and breed. It might not matter to some people, but most I know would want to go through the selection process -- to meet and choose their own pet. I had a friend who has a couple of salt water tanks. He would visit several stores in the area waiting for the right fish to come along.

[+ FrankR]

On the recent episode of "The Resident" a doctor who had forgotten it was his girlfriend's birthday gave her a puppy. Some puppies had been brought to the hospital as therapy for the patients.

 

When my aunt retired her co-workers gave her a dog. I thought that was the worst gift ever! Finally she was free, she could travel but now was tied down with a dog to care for. SHAME!

No, would be my default answer. Unless it is specifically requested as a gift AND I am convinced that the recipient would care for the pet, I would not consider it.

[MassageDrew]

Would you give away a child as a gift? Gifts should not require any form of responsibility whatsoever. The thought is cute but that’s a lot to ask of anyone who may not even want that kind of gift. That’s more of a curse than a gift really.

[+ Avalon]

But what did she think of the dog?

 

She was okay with it,; what could she do? Sadly not too long afterward the dog was killed, run over.

[Bearofdistinction]

"Specific pet" would have to be the specific individual animal, not just the type and breed. It might not matter to some people, but most I know would want to go through the selection process -- to meet and choose their own pet. I had a friend who has a couple of salt water tanks. He would visit several stores in the area waiting for the right fish to come along.

 

Good Point! I was thinking about dog and cat breeds which can be very expensive - but the personality match is just as if not more important.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

NO!

Unless it is not a surprise and was discussed before.

[OCClient]

no

[+ nycman]

She was okay with it,; what could she do? Sadly not too long afterward the dog was killed, run over.

Call me evil...but I don’t think that was an “accident”.

[bigvalboy]

NO!

 

+1

 

Choosing a pet should have that special moment of bonding. Near impossible to replicate when an animal that has it's own wants and needs is thrust upon someone who may not be committed either emotionally or financially.

[MassageDrew]

As long as I’m getting poop-pickup service, dog-sitting service, pet insurance, life-long supply of food and all amenities that come with pet ownership then it’s not a good idea.

[gallahadesquire]

I didn't exactly receive my first cat as a gift:

 

An ex-escort and his boyfriend were breaking up ... a rather nasty affair.

 

"If you can't find someone else to take him, I will," I said.

"We've looked. It's either you or the shelter."

I took him. I heard later,

"I told [the boyfriend] that I didn't do it for him I did it for the cat.

 

Very similar to:

 

I got the ex-escort as a roommate three months later.

[+ sync]

A former neighbor of mine was once gifted with a parrot. He was in his seventies at the time. Parrots, depending upon the species, have a life-span of 25-100 years. The neighbor re-gifted the parrot.

[+ Avalon]

Call me evil...but I don’t think that was an “accident”.

 

I don't know. But it would be out of character for her.

[+ deej]

I'd do it as long as it was by request and the recipient went along with me during acquisition. THEY would have to pick the animal out. But if it's what they really wanted I wouldn't have any problem with the purchase (or, preferably, rescue).

[+ Avalon]

Btw my aunt worked as a secretary at a dairy company for over 30 years. I used to joke with her because she belonged to the Teamsters Union ;-)))

 

I don't remember the dog breed but it was a very very small dog.