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The Gift Of A Lifetime

  C O M P A S S I O N   S C H O O L
                                                                  THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME


     Christmas is the time to say I love you! It's also the time many children ask Santa for a new pet.



     If you have a pet, then you already know how special they are, and how joyful they make you feel.
And during the Holiday season, their presence is a comforting reminder of their unconditional love.

     Adopting a pet is a lifetime responsibility, not to be taken lightly. It is not a decision to be made when we
are in a hurry or without careful preparation. It's a decision that should be made with your heart AND your head.

     There are thousands of lonely pets sitting in shelters just waiting for a loving, FOREVER home and family.

     So yes, Christmastime is a wonderful time to adopt a new family member. But, then again, anytime is a great
time to give a welcoming home to a needy pet.

     We should open our hearts, but plan with our heads.
This is a perfect time to talk with your kids about the needs of a homeless animal and how they can help to make
their home a welcoming and loving place for a potential new pet.



     Ask your children to think about the feelings of the new pet first and foremost. Would their new dog feel scared,
excited or happy? What can they do to make their new pet feel safe, comforted and welcomed? Remember to remind them
that animals have feelings like we do. It will help them to empathize and feel compassion for their new little friend.

     You can prepare your children for their new pet with a well thought out plan for your pet's exercise, including walks and trips to the dog park, feedings and playtime. Plan a simple budget with your kids, for their pet's food, toys and veterinary visits. You can get recommendations from pet-friendly friends for a great local veterinarian.
Planning out a weekly chore chart is a step in the right direction for teaching responsibility and empathy towards others, to your children.

     Adopting and rescuing a precious pet at any time of the year, is a commitment for a lifetime. It is not something we do for a week or a month, because animals are not disposable.  Talk with your children about how they would feel if they were given a gift they really wanted, and had waited a long time for, only to have it taken away a week later.
That is how a pet feels when he is adopted, brought to a new home and then a few weeks later, is dumped back in a scary shelter.




Teaching our children from a very young age, that our pets are a part of our family, and they are to be cared for and loved for their entire lives, is an invaluable lesson in compassion.

     So yes, Christmas IS the time to say I love you.  And maybe, we can show the same love we have for our families, to a shelter pet in need of a forever home and lifetime family.

  I honestly can't think of a more joyful way to start the new year!  


                                                            HAPPY HOLIDAYS!





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