Christmas brings tiding of new furry friends

The story, names, characters, and incidents portrayed below are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons or Christmas 2021 events is purely coincidental.

Jeremy and Megan weren't planning on getting a new puppy yet. Their 14-year-old dog had passed away the summer before and while they wanted another dog eventually, they weren't sure when that time would be. But when Jeremy stumbled across this particular puppy on the Human Society's website, he knew that pup was the one. Megan agreed as soon as he sent her the picture.

Emma was scrolling Craigslist looking for garden supplies when the ad caught her eye: "Lop-eared baby bunnies just in time for Christmas." And sure it was a little impulsive, but she still had the outdoor bunny cage from her son's prior rabbit and had always wanted to get another bunny. And the pictures of the little lops sealed the deal. Now just to figure out how to safely gift wrap a bunny.

Eight-year-old Eva had been asking for a cat for three years. Chris and Sara kept kicking the can down the road using various subterfuges, including gifting Eva with her goldfish, Flounder. Then, in early November, Sara's best friend called to tell her that their neighbor's barn cat had kittens who would be ready to go to their new home right around ... Christmas. A little orange tabby was clearly a good fit for the name that Eva had already picked out - Ariel, after her favorite red-headed mermaid.

If any of these stories ring true, you wouldn't be alone. After the "puppy boom" spurred by COVID-19 pandemic lock-downs, many people purchased or adopted new pets in the last 18 months. And if you welcomed a new pet to your family over the holidays this year, here are a few things to consider as you make your newest family member feel at home.

Find a local vet - and a couple of backups

Though having a go-to local veterinarian for your pet might seem like a given, you may also want to find one or two backup clinics or vets just in case of an emergency. Veterinarians, on average, have been busier in recent months so don't assume that you can just drop in for a same-day appointment.

Consider purchasing pet insurance

Though pet insurance may not make financial sense for everyone, it is something to look into. Much like health insurance, this can really come in handy if, say, your new puppy decides that he really loves to eat socks. Of course, to remove said socks from your puppy's insides will require a rather expensive surgery that might make you question whether your family should just wear sandals until your puppy has better cultivated his taste buds for appropriate dog cuisine. Pet insurance can help offset these types of unexpected emergency vet bills.

Do your homework

No matter what kind of pet you have - furry, feathered, or scaly - do some research to make sure you understand their day-to-day needs as well as common health issues or concerns for their species or breed. This will help you be a proactive pet parent who can spot potential problems early.

Establish a new routine

Figure out who is in charge of feeding, exercising, and cleaning up after your pet, then set a routine to follow. Pets, like people, like to know what to expect each day, and establishing a routine will be helpful for them (and you).

Don't be afraid to call in the professionals

If you find you are in over your head whether that comes to training a puppy for the first time or keeping the salinity in your saltwater fish tank balanced, don't be afraid to call in the professionals. The investment in both time and money will come back tenfold when you have a dog who listens on first command or a tank full of fish floating right-side-up.

Enjoy the time with your newest family member

At the end of the day, we have pets because they bring us joy. And isn't that, after all, one of the reasons for the holiday season? So head out for a hike with your dog, snuggle up with your cat, or sneak your pet a little extra of their favorite treat this holiday season. Because time with pets is always time well spent.