More Living Columnists

• Dolores Sanchez Badillo: The view from the fenceline
• Mary Penner: Learning about your past is an awesome journey
• Steve Brewer: Goofy fads can hold fond memories for families

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Call me Scrooge.

Every holiday humans celebrate, with laughter, food and parties. Yet these days of fun and frivolity for us can be frightful, panic-inducing and dangerous for our pets.

They're not so hot for animal shelters across the country, either.

You see, those adorable living, breathing kittens, puppies and other cuddly (and some more slithery than cuddly) pets given as gifts that elicit so much joy on Christmas morning often end up at a shelter within a month or two.

While the city's Animal Care Centers don't track the exact number of returned holiday "gifts," they do take in more 4-, 5- and 6-month old critters starting at the end of January, says the center's Anna Sanchez.

Giving a pet as a surprise may leave the recipient unprepared or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment to that animal.

OK! OK! You truly believe this person desperately wants, and is looking forward to, receiving a pet for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

Well, is it fair to that poor critter to be brought into a home with trees, music, light, decorations, blow-up Santas and digitally prancing reindeer? I think not.

Overloading the senses of a new animal, especially one that may only be a few months old, by bringing it to a new home, with strange people and a different environment, is begging for adjustment troubles for both of you.

On the flip side, giving a stuffed animal in lieu of a live one, along with a pet-care guidance book, collar and leash, chew or throw toys, with a gift certificate from one of the Albuquerque Animal Care Centers for a pet to be selected after the holidays, would be a win-win situation for everyone.

In 2007, be it resolved...

You have promised yourself 2007 is the year you are going to get healthy, exercise more, file your taxes early and clean out your closets. May I suggest some resolutions that would benefit your pet?

Daily walks are good; a weekly romp in the park is great. Canines need to smell new smells, mark their territory and run after a tennis ball or Frisbee.

A weekly scrambled egg is a healthy protein addition to your pet's diet. Bring your dog to someplace like McDonald's for a side order of scrambled eggs. The critter will enjoy the adventure of going with you in the car. It will also prove that a ride doesn't always translate to a dreaded visit to the vet's office.

Commit to some activity allowing you to spend more time with your pet. The human-animal connection is a strong and necessary one for your pet.

You also have work, family and friends and other obligations demanding your time and energy. Frankly, your pet belongs in the "friends and family" category.

Resolve to rescue a stray the next time you see one by the side of the road or wandering the streets.

If you are unable or unwilling to get the animal yourself, please call animal control. One phone call may spare the creature from getting hit by a vehicle, starving to death, getting hypothermia or being attacked by humans or animals.

An extra minute of your time to save a life is not a bad trade-off.