CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The intention behind gifting a pet is almost always positive.
If you’re planning on bringing more love into a household with a four-legged friend, keep in mind that this can create a new set of challenges for the person on the receiving end. However, for some recipients like Michael "Pudge" Aradillas this created a new opportunity.
Aradillas is a talk show host for KSIX-AM/FM: The Halftime Report with Pudge. He's familiar with the feeling of having an additional family member be sprung on you out of nowhere.
“My father is the one who actually rescued him," Aradillas said of Buddy, his dog of 15 years. "He called me with 15-minute notice that he had bought a dog for his granddaughter, my daughter. And he was on his way to the house.”
That last-minute call turned into a lengthy responsibility.
“When you get a dog, that’s a lifetime commitment you’re making," Aradillas said. "So of course my daughter, she was over the moon, and was so excited. It was a great surprise. It was a gift. And he ended up becoming a member of our family for 15 years.”
Jackie McCollough is the marketing & development director for Gulf Coast Humane Society. She feels the best experience for pet recipients is to eliminate the element of surprise.
“Everybody wants to come in on Christmas with a dog in a box," McCollough said. "I think a lot of it is just take the expectation of away of it being a surprise.”
Her advice: take into account the preparation needed for a new family member.
“There could be a variety of reasons why that pet is not a good fit for your family," McCullough said. "And there’s no shame in admitting that. You can bring that pet back and hopefully we can find another pet that’s a little better for your lifestyle or household.”
McCollough and Aradillas advise potential pet owners to make a day out of going to the shelter with the whole family – including your other pets.
"Make sure everybody likes the pet just as much as the pet likes you," Aradillas said.
If you do receive a pet by surprise this holiday season and you're trying to determine if it is a good fit for your family, McCollough says it takes about three months for an animal to get adjusted to their new home.
Gulf Coast Humane Society is available for all of your questions about pet owmership, including obedience training.