BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Exotic Pets Animals as Gifts - Why Not?

I certainly understand your concerns, and I agree. However, my article clearly states just about every point you made. I also didn't suggest giving an animal on the holiday. Only if you had already planned on a pet, did your research with your child that the pet accessories could be given as a holiday gift. After the hub bub of the holiday, and only then is the pet brought into the household.

Unfortunately there are flawed humans who were raised by flawed humans that never learned to care and respect animals. It saddens me deeply but this valueless thought process goes on to how humans are treated as well, especially children. The love one develops, learning from example by your parents is one of the ways we do learn the values of life.

Here is my article about, How do we Learn to Value Life

How do we learn to value life

All in all the friendship between humankind and animals have been tried and true for thousands of years. It is a bond that is necessary and will always be. Why does a wild wolf lie on a freezing man to keep him alive? This kinship is special and it can't be denied.

Francine, it's good to know another rescuer!

I just want to say to Diana, that I have no objection to parents choosing a pet for their child IF they are prepared to do all of those things. This is how most of us learned to love and respect animals in the first place.

The trouble is when the 'gift' is made by someone other than a parent, or when the parent loses interest after the 'cute pup' is no longer a pup and 'cute'. They suddenly find they are up for vet bills they hadn't planned for when the dog gets ill, or when they need to board it.

I was once given a dear little kitten by a well meaning, but stupid friend who never took the time to check with me if I could home another cat. She knew it would have a good home with me, but she didn't know the inside situation. (I already had a 15 yr old one who was NOT friendly to other cats. My cat, also a male, would have killed the kitten.) It broke my heart to have to give it away to a friend who 'knew' of someone who wanted a cat. (this person was carefully checked out by my friend)

The next I heard was that it was dead because of neglect. I'll never forget that. I shall see that sweet, trusting little face until the day I die. As I said, this woman had been thoroughly checked out - so I thought, but we'd been tragically wrong, in spite of our care in selecting a new owner.

Then there was a poor little dog - a fluffy cross breed the size of a miniature poodle, who ran under my wheels on a 4 lane carriageway a month ago, and which I hope has survived the surgery for two broken legs.

I was informed by onlookers at the scene of the accident, that the dog was 'always getting out on the roads' and that this disaster had been coming for weeks because the owners, who had bought it AS A GIFT for their little girl (who was heartbroken and crying hysterically over it's broken body at the scene of the accident - another picture that will remain in my mind for life, not to mention the dreadful screaming of the little dog in its pain) never bothered to secure their yard and give it the protection it deserved.

I finally got the man to take his dangerously injured pet to the ER by saying that if he wouldn't, I WOULD!

Even in Rescue, we thoroughly check out every person who applies to adopt, doing house checks, questioning the prospective adopters, and requiring that they sign a contract agreeing to the conditions, but people can, and do, lie. The same happens with responsible breeders. When it's all boiled down, you only have the person's word, and frankly that is often worth nothing.

Of course they are keen at the time. It's a few months or years later that the novelty wears off, and the going gets tough, and it isn't as easy as they thought, or the dog has behavioural problems, (they probably didn't think it necessary to pay for the dog to have obedience training) and the poor animal is killed or maimed on the roads, or neglected in other ways, and if it is lucky, it ends up in a shelter, looking for a new home.

Diana, your loving thoughts about helping a child to learn to love and be responsible for an animal are noble thoughts, and I can see that. But sadly the reality of our world is not so kind.

Diana, this article is beautiful. You are one of those who are able to see beyond the 'species barrier'.

I did not have any similar experiences to teach me. In fact, it was the creatures themselves who were my teachers.

I was a very abused child, in different ways, but all extremely damaging to my ability to relate to other humans. I 'talked' with the animals and creatures of the garden, and the wild. I trusted them, and they understood, somehow. From ants to lizards to birds and on to the large animals, these were my best, and often only friends until I was 14 years of age.

They taught me things which no human could teach me, because it wasn't a spoken language. I saw them as equals from about the age of 7. Growing up changed things, of course, but that kinship always remained. I am now nearly 73, and it is deeper than ever before.

But yes, I see now where you are coming from, and I am with you, except that my opinion of the human race is not so generous I'm afraid. Perhaps it is because most of my adult life was spent in Social Welfare, and with abused children, juvenile offenders and addicts. I've seen the worst that human nature can do to little kids, and experienced it in my own life for many years. It's true what you say. Value for LIFE cannot be taught. It has to be experienced - deeply 'felt' within one's own being.

Love is the great healer, and that is where we must begin.

I wish you every blessing in the gentle work you are trying to achieve in others.

It saddens me greatly to hear of such tragedies. Unfortunately it happens. I can't stress enough responsibility. Financial responsibility, learning everything about a pet before you make a purchase (or rescue - however you acquire a pet!) No pet is disposable, if you have a pet mouse or a dog, all animal need medical attention when they are ill or injured!

Nobody, ever, never, not even should SURPRISE someone by gifting them an animal. Did I mention don't surprise someone with a gift of a pet?

I too am in rescue both pets and wildlife. Not as I use to be just too many heath problems. Between having cancer, I have run out of fingers to count how many times, and spine problems it just isn't feasible anymore. Though I do rescue on a smaller scale now.

Before commenting please read the article on gifting animals. Animals as Gifts - Why not?

Your post brought tears to my eyes. Not only because of the treatment you received as a child but also, and not many people will understand the point I am making...because you have reached an animals soul. Onealone, I know you will understand why I am trying to communicate.

I have a question I would love to ask you, but not hear. Please got to my bio page and email me. I will send my private email.

The article Onealone is referring to is How do we Learn to Value Life?

I am deeply touched. (Maybe in more way than one

Your story How do we learn to value life is beautiful and touching. In fact, I hope it goes viral. What a message it would send the world. Anyone else that reads this article please share it with your friends!

Diane, I've sent you a private message.