Q: Our daughter, who recently bought her first house, has been talking about getting a puppy. She will be hosting Hanukkah this year, and we’d love to see her face when a cute little puppy sporting a big blue bow springs from the box we give her.
However, we’re nervous about giving her a pet because she may feel obligated to keep it even if she doesn’t want a puppy right now. What’s your advice?
A: I have good news and bad news for you.
The good news is what the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals learned when they surveyed people who received pets as gifts. They found that 96% of these people felt their bond to the pet was the same as or stronger than if they’d chosen the pet themselves….