Margaret Loris is the Pethealer

Margaret Loris is The Sunhealer

Read some articles from Margaret Loris' syndicated column on pet healing.

Today's Topic THE HOLIDAYS

"Pet Companions are FOREVER"

I get emails nearly everyday from people all over the world, asking me for my healing assistance with their pet companions.

Q: What do you think about giving a cat or dog away as gifts to my children?

A: I get this question asked often, especially around the holidays.

Before you even begin to think about buying a pet as a holiday gift, remember that for the next 10 or more years, that cat or dog will be part of your household. What that means to me is that you need to treat that new pet companion like a member of your family. As a companion to your family, your cat/dog will reflect the love and affection you show him.

Choose the newest member of your family carefully. Unlike your automobile, you cannot trade in your cat or dog for a newer model. In Chicago, I had a neighbor that bought the cutest Saint Bernard, George, for her son for Christmas. (By the way, St. Bernards are used as rescue dogs in ski resorts. This is their God given natural instinct. They travel in pairs to go out to search and find lost people. When they find someone, one will stay with the person, laying over him to keep him warm with his body heat, while the other dog runs to get more help.)

Boy, did George love people! He would always run to the gate, no to bark at you like other dogs do, but to say hello and give you the wettest kiss you ever felt in your life. And when you would start to leave, he would begin to whine and whimper.

Each day I saw George he grew bigger and bigger. In a few months he no longer looked like a puppy. My neighbor started complaining, not only about the increase in her grocery bill, but all the yard clean up she had to do.

Before I knew it, George was sent to the pound. They tried giving him away, but could not find anyone to take George. Our family already had one dog, and for an apartment, that was enough.

To this day, I can’t see how anyone can love a pet, then just give them away. I see ads in the rescue pages where pets are abandoned simply because there was a divorce. The couple sold their home, now both buy condos, and pets aren’t allowed. Do you give your children to an orphanage after divorce? Your pet is your responsibility and your family member. Find a home that allows pets. I would not be able to live in an environment that excluded pets.

I was walking Fritzl in the park the other day and met a woman who had a cute poodle that was seven years old. She rescued him when he was three. She is his fourth owner. And I know she will be his last. She renamed him Sugar. And how sweet he is.

Know as much as possible about the breed and his breeder before you buy. Do a lot of research to find a pet companion that will fit into your home healthfully. Would you get a cat if you had allergies? Think about it.

You may need more time to rethink your holiday shopping.

Pet companions are FOREVER.