'Tis the season for giving

'Tis the season for giving. . . Give the gift of a home.

As the holidays approach, little bipeds are asking for a little friend in the form of a quadraped. This is an excellent opportunity to rescue a new friend.

This article has some good advice on adopting a friend. While I recommend dogs, at this time of year, even a cat deserves a home.

One thing that is stressed, and I believe is important, is that the humans should not use the friend as a surprise. If you want a real friendship, you need to meet before you adopt. If you want to have the strong of a reaction from a puppy under the tree, go to the shelter first and have the biped meet us, so that you can see if there is a spark. Just create a story of why you have to be there. Then go back alone to adopt and then spring the surprise, with a known animal.

My sister and I were adopted as birthday gifts to our boys. They came and visited us at the shelters and we were among many choices available, but our personalities were matches for the boys. I would hate to think of what would have happened if the big humans selected a friend at random.

Give the gift of love, give a friend a home.