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By Denise Byrne, Homer resident
The cartoonist Charles Schultz, the creator of Snoopy, declared that "Happiness is a warm puppy." One might add, "and a cuddlesome kitten."
As Christmas gift shopping time approaches, business at Tender Loving Care, on 151st Street between Parker and Bell, will increase as some well-intentioned relatives begin looking for a puppy or a kitten as the perfect gift for some child in the family.
Janine Carter, coordinator of T.L.C., advises those relatives to look elsewhere for their Christmas presents. As Janine points out, if parents want a child to have a pet, they will generally help the parent choose that pet.
Parents, Janine confirms, are the only ones who can truly determine whether a child is ready to assume the responsibilities of animal ownership. These responsibilities include being able to provide food and water for the animal, to air the dog or to set up and clean the litter box for a cat, and to take care of any elimination or chewing or scratching "mistakes." Grooming the animal is another responsibility.
In addition, parents must be able to support the decision to have a pet by being willing to fill in for the child if circumstances warrant the shifting of responsibilities for a brief period. The costs of initial neutering, ongoing inoculations, and emergency medical treatments are the expenses the parents must be ready to assume.
Christmas, however, is not a good time to give any child a pet as a gift. Holidays, a time of hustling and bustling for most families, are stressful. The time and energy to devote to a new pet is limited. Families are also coping with guests, who, more often than not, include toddlers. As a result, the puppy or cat is ignored or neglected or even, perhaps, over-stimulated.
After the holidays, when the novelty of a pet has worn a little thin, T.L.C. becomes the depository for unwanted pets. By that time generally the family has learned that it has no time to devote to caring for a pet, that what time is available has to be allotted to other priorities. In addition, the family may experience problems dealing with the pet's lack of manners or poor housebreaking ability.
T.L.C. does have a screening process. Beyond agreeing to meeting the basic nutritional needs of the pet, adopting families agree to provide an indoor shelter for the pet. Interaction between the child and the prospective pet is also observed. A pet's history is also important with older animals.
So, well-meaning gift givers are advised by Janine Carter to rethink the gift of a Christmas puppy or kitten or dog or cat. If, however, the relative is still insistent that the time is right for the child to have a pet as the child has reached the "right" age or the family has sufficient room to keep a pet and to air a dog, then the gift should not be a surprise, especially to the parent. Permission from the parent should be secured. In fact, it is advisable to have the child present when choosing the pet.
An alternative to giving a pet is to make a donation in the child's name. Such donations provide the necessary inoculations for T.L.C. animals. Perhaps, in the true spirit of the season, making a Christmas gift box with the child's help for T.L.C. is another alternative. Items that are continually in need are throw rugs (cut-up rugs ravel and cause problems), towels, blankets, paper towels, cleaning supplies, toys including ping pong balls, and collars and leashes. The child then can drop the gift box off at T.L.C..
T.L.C., which has been open since 1974, is a private organization managed by a board. Contributions help sustain the work of placing animals in good homes. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dennis Carter manages.