I ll never do that again. Timing, in addition to careful selection and planning, has much to do with successfully adding a pet to the family. The point I always make is that the home should be pet-safe and quiet for the newly arriving animal, which rules out Christmas and Hanukkah. Nervous kittens climb and pull down trees. Frightened rabbits bolt out the door when relatives arrive.
Excited children forget to walk the puppy, who then makes a mess on the rug.
To add to the stress, holiday hazards for pets abound, especially with a new pet. Dogs love it, but it can be toxic and even lethal if consumed in large quantities. This is one of the most common problems we see at the holidays, notes veterinarian Phillip Raclyn of the Riverside Veterinary Group in New York City. Last year a dog got into a box of chocolates that was left under the tree and had to be hospitalized for three days. Turkey and ham bones can splinter and lodge in a pet s throat, stomach, and intestines.