This week’s excuse to post a cute puppy

Today in Slate the lead story — at least at 9:30 — is about why you shouldn’t get a puppy for Christmas. It’s written by Jon Katz, an author who has a whole book about training doggies, and so he’s probably right.

I mean, he is: getting a living being that you have to take care of a lot (i.e., a puppy) probably shouldn’t be a surprise. (You can give somebody a fish or plant for Christmas without too many qualms, probably.) And if you’re buying a puppy for Christmas, you’re probably getting it from a pet store, which — despite their many cute puppies inside — aren’t the best place to buy pets.

But, you know what, “Jon” — if that is your real name — shush. Because discouraging people to get puppies is, frankly, just not cute. Hrumph.

Editor’s Note: If anyone is every thinking of getting a doggy — no no, not me, I’m too poor and busy — here’s the American Kennel Club’s guide for future dog owners.

The Christmas Puppy: Why you shouldn’t get one [Slate]
Photo by trentroche