Welcome New Puppy After the Holidays

The holidays are a challenging time to accept a pet.

When thinking about giving a living creature to a family member or friend, it's important to remember that a pet should be given only to someone who has made the desire clear and is in a position to care for the pet for the remainder of its life. Nicole Piepgras/Shutterstock

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?