Pets are a Lifetime Commitment, Consider this Before Giving One as a Gift

Are you considering giving a pet as a holiday present?  Before you do, make sure you take into consideration that you are not just giving a pet, but a responsibility.  Cats commonly live to be 16-18 years, and dogs 10-14 years.  The latest research shows that the average dog owner will spend about $25,000 on their dog during her life time, and $15,000 on their cat.  (40% of this expense is food.  The other part is spent on health care, toys, treats, boarding, grooming etc).  If you give a puppy as a present, consider that they really shouldn't be left more then 3 hours when they are very young, and when you are home with them, they need to be taken out every 30-60 minutes to really reinforce proper house training.  Never give the gift of an animal to someone as a surprise.  Taking an animal into a home is a commitment and the type of pet one should have depends on a person's finances, the amount of free time they have, and the type of pet-owner relationship they hope to have.  Follow this link from Animal Planet to help discover a dog breed that matches with your lifestyle. http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html