Gift Pet, who does this?

[ctg492]

I Love my three dogs, dogs are a huge part of my life always have been. I travel round trip a few thousand miles a month with my pack of large dogs. We have assigned seats, waiting turns at rest stops figured out, bed spots designated, heck I bought a car last month with them in mind.
Last week at a company Chritmas dinner at 11 pm I was escorted outside, everyone followed, a black Lincoln pulled up and out came a tiny puppy. Everyone clapped As it was handed to me. I was speachless. Who does not love a puppy, but....
Husband knew he claims two days before. I did not speak all the way home. I feel so crummy, I mean who does not love a pup, I will give it a forever home and good life, I am also so stressed over a puppy and puppy training. I feel like the old lady who raised a pile of kids, got them all in school and then had an unexpected baby!

[goldensmom]

I love my dogs. I've raised litters so I love puppies but they are a lot of work and take a tremendous commitment to do it right. I would never give a puppy as a gift nor would I want to get a puppy as a gift. One of our older dogs died this year and it took us months to decide to get another puppy, then we looked and looked and planned and planned. We got a puppy and like I said previously, it is a LOT of work. I would never put that on someone else who has not made a conscious decision and prepared for the arrival of a new puppy. Even though we have all the paraphernalia for a puppy from our previous experiences, I still went through everything to make sure it was in good shape, safe, etc. For me, it also takes mental preparation, get ready to take the pup out every 2 hours, do a lot of laundry as he soils his crate linens, put things up so he doesn't chew.....a lot of time and commitment. I love puppies.

[Tradd]

That's just so weird. Your company just decided to give you a puppy? How the heck did someone think this was a good idea? I hope you can get some answers after the holiday. I'd raise heck.

[sweetana3]

The people who give out puppies are the same ones that probably use them as prizes for games. They dont have a clue.

Worst present ever unless it is chosen by the family/individual that will raise it.

Only good thing is that it is a puppy and can more easily be readopted to a family. Big question here is why your husband did not derail it earlier?

[Tammy]

There has got to be a way to return the puppy to where it came from. That was ridiculous.

[iris lilies]

OMG. This is the worst thing I've heard. OP you aren't obligated to keep this puppy.

I do have questions, though, since I didn't understand that you work in paid employment. With all of the driving across states that you do, I had thought you didn't work. Now I see that might be related to your work. How long have you worked for this place? How well do you know your boss?

Your husband deserves some censure here, too, but not nearly as much as the actors for the company.

[rodeosweetheart]

That is so weird! What kind of company do you work for (i.e., who would think this is a good idea?) It is so bizarre. No, you do not have to keep the puppy, obviously. But who would think this was a good idea?

[lessisbest]

This will be dinner conversation this evening it's so bizarre... I really can't believe someone would do something like that, and I'm with others who suggest you shouldn't feel obligated to keep the puppy. I just thought hubby's $100 gift certificate to a local "junk" (collectables) mall was an odd gift.... Especially since his staff know we are downsizing and getting rid of "stuff" and don't need to be dragging something else home. I should be thankful it wasn't a puppy (:laff:).

[creaker]

That's kind of nuts - it's on par with "we know you like children so we got one to raise and commit to and take care of for years and years - surprise!"

[Teacher Terry]

That really is terrible of them. I have 4 old dogs but that does not mean if one of them dies I want to replace them all. Also maybe you only want senior dogs, want to choose your own dog if you even wanted one. I actually would not feel an obligation to keep it if you can find it a good home. As much traveling as you do 3 dogs is plenty.

[Tammy]

Sell that 100 dollar junk certificate on eBay!

[kimberlyf0]

I too am astounded that someone (or many people) thought this was a good idea. I love my two dogs and it took a lot of work to get these two to get along, plus my female detests other dogs; I will not bring another dog into the household while she is still living because it would be very stressful for her. She is a fearful, nervous dog (bad nervous temperament per the professional trainer, most likely from overbreeding - she was a rescue dog) and has to be on meds just to make life tolerable for her. If someone tried to give me a puppy I would have to say no thanks.

Plus, we have already decided that we will take a break once both dogs have crossed the rainbow bridge (big dogs, one is 10 and the other is 6, so we have years to go before this happens). We know we want dogs in our lives, but once our female passes on we want to take a long trip to really see the United States (several months, we hope) and boarding is currently $35 a day and likely to be higher by then, and we want to take a trip that doesn't have to be dog friendly. If someone gave us a puppy now that dream would be pushed off another 5+ years. After our break and trip we will think about another dog (which will have given us time to grieve as well), knowing we are committing again to 10 or more years with a dog. DH would like to consider a Great Dane rescue at that time, while I am thinking I'd like a friendly breed, probably a mixed dog that might have fewer health issues. By that point we might even be thinking about what kind of dog would be best with grand-babies. My point is that we will want to choose the dog and the time.

I agree with the poster who said it would be like giving you a baby just because you have and like children. An animal is a lifelong commitment, not only of your time, but also a financial commitment.

[kib]

That's kind of nuts - it's on par with "we know you like children so we got one to raise and commit to and take care of for years and years - surprise!" Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe you should bring it to work with you. Or is this DH's company? Maybe he should bring it to work with him, then.

[catherine]

Really, really inconsiderate. And it sounds like they got DHs seal of approval in advance? I think I would have responded exactly the way you did.

And yet..

DH gave his mother/brother (who lived together) a surprise dog for a Christmas gift, not once, but twice! First time didn't work out well at all. Second time--my DS had found a runaway dog in the neighboring city and rescued it. I thought it was a perfect dog for BIL, and so did DH, so I suggested we ask him if he would like the dog. DH nixed that and did a reprisal of the Christmas dog surprise he had done for his mother. That was actually a success story--BIL still has the dog and he is the most ridiculous doting dog parent ever.

Then, almost a full year after my yellow lab died in Jan 2008, Christmas 2008, my kids collaborated to pick out and present me with a puppy. I had stated numerous times after my lab died that I needed time to heal.. I wasn't ready for a dog, and if I were, I would get an older harder-to-place dog, housebroken and mellow. Well, they got DH and I a puppy, very energetic border collie/terrier/lab mix. I had very, very mixed feelings, bordering on anger, but after a couple of months, I saw how sweet and trainable and smart this puppy was, so all turned out well. She is a wonderful dog.

That being said, I never want another dog as a gift. And if I got a second one--a "friend" for my current dog, I'd find another home. I am a serial monogamous dog owner.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I do not think gift pets are appropriate at all--especially from a boss/coworkers (??). Couldn't they just give you a gift card??

And are you back on speaking terms with your DH?

[awakenedsoul]

I can't believe someone would do this. I probably would have refused the dog at the time. I love dogs, too, but would not want another one. I plan to just have one dog after my German Shepherd passes away. Getting a dog is such a personal thing.

[ctg492]

I don't work, but have a huge commute as my father needs me in Mi, my husband works and live in TN, homes in both. These people were told by hubby not to get boss aka my hubby a gift, so he said get my wife something. The world knows my dogs are so loved and important to me. SO they assumed a puppy would be the best gift ever. Gosh a picture of a dog would have been ok. I know my husband approved this two days before it was given, I pieced the pieces together. my husband has a history of weird gifts all meant with best intentions. Once a horse. I loved horses, but that was like being given a 1000 pound baby in the barn. Once a car that I did not want, came as a surprise with bow and huge sign in front of dealership. I asked him please please never do these things again.
I ofcourse love this puppy now, will keep her forever, but never ever at this time in my Crazytrain life would I have gotten a puppy. I debated saying take her back to the couple, but being work related puts me in a no win situation. So now I say I live in a kennel. Oh well.

[awakenedsoul]

It just sounds so manipulative to me. How would they feel if you gave them a puppy as a surprise gift? It just seems so insensitive and inconsiderate to me. Almost abusive....

I'm fifty, and training and exercising dogs is harder for me now than it used to be.

[iris lilies]

It just sounds so manipulative to me. How would they feel if you gave them a puppy as a surprise gift? It just seems so insensitive and inconsiderate to me. Almost abusive....

I'm fifty, and training and exercising dogs is harder for me now than it used to be.

Agreed. I wouldn't let someone treat me like this.

OP, when you say "being work related puts me in a no win situation..." I completely, disagree. It's not your work situation. You can easily use the excuse of "my husband is a nincompoop because we can't take on another dog right now" and smile at the givers until your teeth hurt when you glide into the work place to hand over the puppy to them.

There are so many things wrong with this situation. But at the core, where it starts is this: gifts at work go down the chain, not up. Your husband as an employer needs to understand and carry this out. This truly is his problem.

I am laughing thinking about Tradd's thread on gift giving at work went this year. In that thread all is well. But this one work gift dwarves all of the bad stuff that could happen.

[larknm]

I would find the dog a good home--or take him to an animal sanctuary who knows how to do that, or breed rescue group. The people he came from don't care abo
ut his welfare and shouldn't have anything more to do with him.

[Tradd]

IL, I had a chuckle comparing the two threads, too.

[ctg492]

Update, LillaBean as she is now called is adapting well. I am adapting to having puppy again. I have issues leaving my dogs, hence why they travel all those miles with me. I am obsessive with puppy training. Yet I had to tell myself that it is ok that I leave LillaBean for a hour or two at a time. When I come home and hear her whooping it up, I camling walk in say hello to my other dogs and then pick her up, no big event. I so hope this stops soon! House training is going very well. She forgets she is tiny and the bigs dogs are too ruff for her. I spend hours a day yelling Enough! Then she runs right after them again.
Such is my life in a kennel. I did order a Dyson Animal vac:|(

[awakenedsoul]

You are very kind. I guess they knew you were a softie and would love and care for this pup. I've taken in dogs temporarily and never been able to give them back. They do grow on you...

irislilies, Do you feel like you live in a dog kennel, too?

[iris lilies]

You are very kind. I guess they knew you were a softie and would love and care for this pup. I've taken in dogs temporarily and never been able to give them back. They do grow on you...

irislilies, Do you feel like you live in a dog kennel, too?

Yes, I often long for flooring of cement with a drain hole in the middle.

OP, "LillaBean" is a very very cute name!

[awakenedsoul]

Dogs have a way of finding kind hearted owners. It's like a radar. They are so unconditionally loving.

With a purebred shepherd and a shepherd mix, I have top vacuum every day. If I didn't, I'd have a house full of dog hair. Hope you like your vacuum. I researched them and got a good deal on a Shark. It's also good for pet hair, and is less expensive than some of the others...

[CathyA]

I haven't read all of the replies, but I think that was awful of them. Totally irresponsible. Maybe they asked your hubby and he said "yes"?
I find that really awful. :(

[Teacher Terry]

WE have 3 maltese which do not shed at all. But then we ended up taking my son's 80lb husky/shephard mix & he is a shedding machine. I bought a roomba made for for pet hair which was expensive but well worth it. In addition, I take the broom everyday & sweep up the obvious clumps of hair. YOu can just pet him & see the hair fly even with deshedding him regularly. Good thing he is very sweet!

[JaneV2.0]

All's well that ends well. (She may have A Purpose in your life...)

[rodeosweetheart]

Good point, Jane. I will say the pet that we never asked for, never sought up, just showed up in our greenhouse, a shaking kitten of about 12 weeks, is the most loving pet we ever had. And we didn't want her at all, and only took her with us because we were moving and could not abandon her. She picked us, and we definitely got the better of the deal.

[kimberlyf0]

With a purebred shepherd and a shepherd mix, I have top vacuum every day. If I didn't, I'd have a house full of dog hair. Hope you like your vacuum. I researched them and got a good deal on a Shark. It's also good for pet hair, and is less expensive than some of the others...

Same here, we have two purebred German Shepherd dogs and we have to vacuum daily. We bought a Dyson Animal soon after we adopted our second GSD, and for nearly four years we fought that vacuum; it was always breaking on us. Dyson would repair it (and at one point replaced it), but still, it was a hassle. In frustration we bought a Shark a year ago and it handles the fur beautifully (and cost much less).

I'm so glad that LillaBean is loved and is settling in :)

[ctg492]

Today Lilly, LliiyBeans, WildBeans, Liitle Shot of Jack and my favorite nickname Too Many Shots of Jack when she's wild (she's a JRT) is doing super. She fits in with the pack like she has been here forever. Spaying is the first week of March.
The Dyson Animal is a nice vac, I got the cordless. Opinion, is it worth the $, I don't think I needed to sped that much, but it is super handy and I use it a few times a day because of that.

[Tradd]

JRT=Jack Russell Terrorist ;)

[iris lilies]

JRT=Jack Russell Terrorist ;)

OMG, that gift puppy is a JRT?

OMG. Terrorist, indeed.

[ctg492]

Oh I love that JRTerrorist, I know! She is a chihuahua in hyper gear! My old big dogs run in fear when they are pooped out of playing. I take her jogging twice a day to burn energy, two miles each time. The energy level is over the top.