[Justaduck]

Firstly just want to say I am not advocating the giving of an animal as a present. I know so many of them do get dumped in the weeks after Christmas.

Walking past the pet store last night made me curious, if you (or someone you know) has given a dog or cat for a birthday present...how did you hide it the night before? Did you leave it at someone elses house til the kids got home? What if a puppy barked? etc

[daniL]

We have given DS fish- easy hid in the shed for a couple of days before.
My DH gave me a kitten for Christmas, hid at a friends house, on Christmas Day I opened a big box full of all things for kitty. Then went to friends and picked her up.

Last year we gave DS2 chickens. DH had built the hen house over a few nights when the kids were in bed or I took them out looking at lights, then we hid it up the side of the house and on Christmas Eve picked up chickens from a friends house once the kids were in bed.

This yr DD is getting a bird. I am picking him up tomorrow and hiding him at yet another friends house (we share the love around lol) then once the kids are in bed Christmas Eve I will go and pick him up.


Disclaimer: all pets given were much wanted pets and we are responsible pet owners who know a pet is for life not just for the holidays

[FiveAus]

I've just bought my husband a pet lamb for Christmas, but it required his help to pick it up so he's known about it for a while. We collected the lamb last night and he's now in our paddock with our older lamb.

I doubt I would ever do a surprise gift of a puppy or kitten and try to keep it hidden.

[Unatheowl]

Hi, I have given a dog as a CHristmas gift....flame suit on

The situation was a close friend who went through a VERY tough year personally. She had a dachsund who had died from a tick ealier. She was considering getting a dog again. She had seen one she wanted at a pet shop and was going on about it. soooooooooo...I bought it for her - yeah I know pet shop but at leas I was sure it was the dog she wanted. She loved it and has had it about 3 years now. She also bought it a companion. She is responsible and has means to look after it so not a worry.

What I did was bring the dog home and keep it for around 1 week I think. Yes it was a PIA. She was thrilled though. She had been through a lot and I kew it was something that would help her emotionally. I thn invited her over and when she knocked on the door I told her it was open and to come in. I then sent the puppy out to meet her. She knew what I did immediately. It was great.