What are your thoughts on giving someone a pet as a gift?

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Bori

Poor animals. My cousins boyfriend gave her a pet(a dog exactly) as a gift for her birhtday. She loved her dog, but her mother didn't because the pet vomited a lot, and than after 4 years she gave the dog to a family. This family abandoned this dog and the dog was found dead in the garden of the house of my cousin, waiting her to feed it. Poor animal, I bought a dog last year and I would never never leave it. Oh but I'm not speaking for Greece, this history comes from Albania. In my country after the year 2000 dog became very popular, some of tham dies in the streets because a lot of people didn't want them. Poor animals, it's a big crime to leave them, for the pets is very difficult the life in the city, a lot of them cannot survive outside a house and I think people who take pets must think before they take it. Bye.

cpinatsi

Bad idea! People who get pets must have really wanted to do so. If they just get one as a gift, they may like it for a while, but when they face the responsibilities that go together with it, especially with a dog, they will leave it in the streets as is happening with all the strays in Athens.

If you are talking about Greece, I have to tell you that it is very difficult actually to find someone who will accept to adopt a puppy or kitten, let alone giving it to them without asking!

emiliosailez

Generally, it is not a good idea if one is to regard the welfare of the animal. Many people "think" they would like a pet without realizing the responsibilities one assumes. A pet is a living thing, it has needs and demands time and attention. To have an undefined "want" for a pet is one thing and quite another to carry out the obligations that come with it.
So be very careful and judicious in giving one as a gift.

dvatwork

It depends. U must be sure this person even WANTS the pet and is old enough and responsible enough to take care of it. To give a pet to someone who is, and will be, indifferent is criminal.

somerlo

People in Greece never give pets as a gift, because the majority of Greeks are not animal lovers. We, the minority suffer of discriminations, as we are considered pathetic personalities if we take care of stray dogs and cats, we are not allowed to walk through a park with our dog, and in case we don't owe our own house, nobody lets us hire an appartment in case we have a dog or a cat.
Stray dogs and cats are poisoned in Greece. And along with their physical death, we, few animal lovers, get a psychological death everyday.

jaymz4321@sbcglobal.net

I think you pretty much answered it. Be sure the person want's the pet you are getting them.

www.freewebs.com/belles-lettres

Pet as a gift must be clearly approved by all involved persons before presenting... There are indeed many stray animals in some places in Greece

Airpole

I'll never do, because assuming the recipient would also like to get one is generally a wish-full thinking. They usually accept to please you and seldom do what they are supposed to.

joe b

It depends on WHERE you intend to pet them!! Sorry about that--just couldn't resist the temptation.

asimenia

Personally I would NEVER give a Greek a pet - Years ago when I lived in Athens - a stray cat adopted me - she stayed - more cats arrived - then people started to throw bags of kittens into my garden!

I think someone who wants a pet should go choose one themselves.

______________________________________...
Mamma il .... (sorry forgot rest of name - old age)
Don't be fooled my Jack Russels appearance! Some can easily be a match for any vicious big dog!
I know - we are a Midland family from UK - where every other household used to have a Jack Russel when I was young - even us! (either a Jack Russel - whippet or greyhound) I remember going 'rabbiting' (it was allowed back then) with our neighbour and his Jack Russel - if you've seen a Jack Russel go down a rabbit hole and drag out a rabbit - you may think they are not so cute! They are hunting dogs so their character despite looks is not so 'cuddly'. They are also extremely clever dogs! I've seen some out run whippets as well!

PS I still love them and would definitely have another! Although character wise I would prefer a labrador

zusje17

Never a good idea.First of all the thing you mentioned,you can't be sure if they even want a pet and if they are willing to take care of it.Second I think getting a pet is something personal,you should choose your own pet(what kind of species and then the individual animal) as really with all the pets I had with some I had a great connection while with other nothing(but my brother or sister or mother did).You wouldn't want to give someone a pet that doesn't match their personality(some like active pets,some prefer pets that are cuddly,other want pets that are independent etc),that would just make them both miserable...Really the only time I can approve of a pet being given as a gift is when it comes from a parent to his/her child(with the knowledge you are taking a pet in your home and how much care they require).

As a last note I wanna add Rottweilers are NOT vicious animals,as a vet student and given the fact that Rottweilers are really popular in northern Greece I had to deal with many of them(often had two or more at the same time in the clinics of our university) and I have yet to be bitten by one(any large breed dog really).Ask me again about small breeds,lol...

ndn_ronhoward

I would only do that if I didn't like the person. That gives me an idea! I wonder if George W. would like a pet rat for Christmas....

GREEK BARBiE

yeah like a bunny, or a cute puppy, but you have to know if that person likes pets, because they are some people that dont.

♥AngeliC spirit♥

It is a bad idea to get anyone a pet as a gift !! First of all...even if the person is "talking" about getting a pet, that might be all it is -- just talking. They might be unsure or not serious.
Second of all...while a pet may be the gift that keeps on giving (cuddle wise) it is a gift that will cost the person a lot of money. Unless you plan on buying all the supplies to go with the animal (food, dishes, leash, collar, etc.) your gift is actually going to cost your friend money. Also...what about veterinary bills? As soon as you hand over the pup you friend will have to take her dog to the vet for shots, wormer, etc. That is about a 200 dollar tab right there.

OK, so here is the deal. If you KNOW FOR A FACT that your friend REALLY wants a pet, and is ALLOWED TO HAVE one, go for it. But please don't empty your friends wallet in the mean time. Be prepared to give your friend, along with the puppy, the necessary items to feed, walk, and groom the dog. ALSO it would be a very nice gesture to pay for the first veterinary visit~

~desa~

well that'd be great, as long as you know that they are interested in pets, and that they have the time to take care of it, and show their responsibility of it :)

Totally Blunt

I'm still waiting for someone to give me a Jack Russel puppy. Even his name is ready: Gaspode. Unfortunately, I keep receiving vicious dogs such as rottweilers and I am threatened to receive a bull terrier. Oh God, where did I go wrong?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_Terrier

PS. I didn't do it with the rottweilers, but if I really receive a bull terrier I am determined to name it Fluffy, make it wear a tutu and paint its nails pink. Not to mention I will teach it to bring my slippers. :P

Edit: If Zusje knew me, she would know that I have had two rottweilers and now I have a rottweiler and a doberman. What does she think? That I live with vicious dogs and allow them bites of me when they feel like it? :DDD I wouldn't forgo the Fluffy scheme though.

Edit 2: Well, asimenia, as a matter of fact, after taking the doberman (which has some terrier blood) I am beginning to have doubts about terrier breeds. Mine is terribly clever and terribly in need of employment. Maybe I should stick with the rottweilers. I've had my share of retrievers, as I had a maniacally overactive golden (Han Solo by name). After that one, a rottweiler looked like an angel. :DDD Han Solo broke my heart by escaping the leash (he could break chains) and getting hit by a car... in front my eyes. :,(

Oh, I forgot to mention. Han Solo's nick was Terminator... a terminator of cushions and armchair stuffings. And of a baby land turtle at one point.

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