The volunteers at Animals In Need Donegal had a special delivery from the North Pole this morning – a letter from the Big Man himself – Santa!
He asked them to pass on a very important message to all the children out there who are asking for a pup, kitten or other pet for Christmas and here it is:
Santa Claus
The North Pole
Hello Children!
Have you all been good this year? I have a very important message for you.
I know some of you are asking for a puppy or a kitten for Christmas.
The Elves want you to know that they don’t make living animals, that isn’t Christmas magic, but they do make wonderful toys and games.
Puppies should never be bought as Christmas presents, especially as a surprise, as far too many of these little dogs then end up in the Dog Pound in the New Year when the novelty wears off or the pup is too much work or is being naughty (or having fun as we call it!).
The Dog Pound is where dogs go when nobody wants them anymore. They’re very sad in there and they don’t understand why nobody loves them anymore. They have to wait and hope that someone like the lovely people at Animals In Need will come and take them out of there and find them a new home.
Do you know why Christmas is the absolute worst time to get a puppy? Well, puppies are just babies and they need time and training to settle them in. They have to be shown where to go to the toilet, how to behave nicely and even have to learn their new name and they often cry when they first leave their mammy as they feel lonely and scared.
Can you imagine doing all that at Christmas? With all the excitement, noise, visitors and distractions that are part and parcel of this time of year?
No, it’s not fair is it?
If you really, REALLY, want a new pet, why not wait until after Christmas and adopt one of the poor puppies who wasn’t wanted as a present and has ended up in the Dog Pound.
Rudolf wants me to say this makes him very sad. Oh and he says puppies aren’t broken toys and shouldn’t be chucked out with the old Christmas tree in the New Year.
And he’s right of course and that is why we don’t give out puppies or pets as presents.
Must dash, lot’s to do before the big day but I have just one last message from the Elves and Rudolf – please remember that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
See you all soon!
Santa (Ho Ho Ho)