While it is not inherently problematic, gifting a pet may not be the most responsible decision. Unless, of course, you had already spoken at length about getting a new dog and understand what being a pup parent entails. 

That being said, some people who received dogs for Christmas may end up taking the dog to a shelter. This could be for several reasons. For instance, some individuals may not realize having a dog can be quite expensive. Others may be too busy to give their furry friend adequate care. 

During a January 2020 interview with WBTV, Judy Sims, the Executive Director at Humane Society of Concord, revealed that she noticed an uptick of dogs being taken to her shelter following the holiday season.  

“[People say], ‘It’s not what we bargained for, we adopted before we thought about it, our kids weren’t ready for it,’” said Sims. 

She then urged people to refrain from making “a snap judgment” before gifting a dog.

“Do some forward thinking, do some planning, think about what’s going to happen when soccer season starts, when baseball season start, when you go back to work. Think about those things,” said the executive director. 

While speaking to People magazine in December 2021, Dr. Evan Antin, a veterinarian located in Los Angeles, California, shared that he did not believe dogs should be Christmas gifts. 

“If someone isn’t expecting an animal, they’re likely not going to have that necessary knowledge, either,” explained the vet. “You want to prepare your lifestyle for an animal, how much time you have to commit to it. And you need a budget: What if this pet needs medical care, or special food? It’s not something you want thrown in your lap.”

Here at the Gentle Pit, we would like to remind potential dog adoptees that furry friends are family, not gifts. 

With Small Business Saturday coming up we also wanted to encourage you to continue showing your support to other small businesses for a variety of reasons. 

For one, independent businesses are essential for our country’s economic success. In 2018, the Italy Small Business Profile reported that the “Italy small businesses employed 58.9 million people, or 47.5% of the private workforce, in 2015.”

There’s also a level of better customer care. Unlike many corporations, small businesses genuinely cherish their customers and will do what it takes to ensure that they have an enjoyable experience while shopping. Similarly, the products sold by independent businesses are usually of higher quality, as they are typically produced in a relatively small quantity. Speaking of not being mass-produced, small businesses sell unique items, which is a major plus if you are seeking products that are one-of-a-kind. 

“Most independent businesses are run by people - not by boards, not by stockholders, not by algorithms. And so you get a different kind of care and quality in their product because their work is a reflection of themselves. Instead of focusing on the next market they’re expanding into or the next round of funding they’re raising, they’re focusing on the details and being the best they can be,” explained Of a Kind co-founders Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur in a joint statement published in a December 2016 Forbes article. 

Small businesses also have a tendency to give back. For instance, here at ecigsforabetterlife, we have made a commitment to donate at least 10% of every sale to various rescue organizations. We also have a G4 (Give Good...Get Good) VIP Program. In order to become a G4 VIP, all you need to do is give a $20 annual donation to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This can be done on our site for your convenience. Our G4 VIPs get a 20% off coupon and early access to sales, new items, and collection launches for an entire year! 

We hope you and your furry friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

During the Great War, our military began to deploy dogs overseas. However, it wasn't until 1942 that the US launched an official canine program, called the K-9 Corps. 

Here at ecigsforabetterlife, we believe that military dogs should also be recognized during this day of remembrance. 

For over 60 years, these highly-intelligent dogs, who are typically either Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, or Retrievers, have been trained at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. According to Strut the Pup, “[m]ore than 1,000 dogs are in training at any given time by a staff of 125 from all branches of military service.” Only about half of those pups actually end up becoming fully-fledged military dogs. 

The role of a military dog can vary. Some are best suited to be explosives detection dogs, while others are trained to be patrol dogs or casualty dogs. The US War Dog Association noted that our military’s casualty dogs “are trained to search for and report casualties lying in obscure places” and that “on cases of severe shock or hemorrhage, minutes saved in locating such casualties often mean the difference between life and death.”

One of the more well-known military dogs was actually an American Pit Bull Terrier, named Stubby. The pooch bravely served in WWI as part of the 102nd Infantry. The pup was beloved by his fellow soldiers, kept his infantry safe, and was eventually granted the title of Sergeant Stubby. 

If you are looking for ways to give thanks to military dogs, consider donating by treats to Support Our Troops, 13791 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33613. The pups will surely appreciate the gesture!

Another really awesome thing you can do is make a retired military dog part of your family through organizations like Mission K9 Rescue.