PSA: A Thought about Pets at Holiday Time
Quite some time ago, to my delight, I discovered that Zazzle.com offered custom postage. The last couple of years, I've made a point to poke around the site at holiday time to look at designs and to see if anything tickled me enough to make a purchase. Generally speaking, their postage costs twice what your standard postage stamp costs specifically because it's customized, so I have to be really tickled to buy something there. Otherwise, USPS generally comes up with pretty enough designs to satisfy me. Anyway, this morning, I was poking around the site and noticed something that hadn't really struck me before: People dressing up their pets for the holidays and putting them on stamps.
Now, obviously, for one's own use, such stamps can be fun and entertaining, especially if recipients of such stamps on cards know the animals in question. But as I looked at these cutie-patootie stamps, one thing in particular struck me.
None of these animals looked happy.
Dressed as elves or angels, gifts or Santa, every single one of them looked put upon, long-suffering, or just downright miserable. I can't think of a less celebratory image than a cat weighted down by a Santa hat or a dog wearing plush reindeer antlers. This poor, put-upon creature will not make my days be merry and bright.
To all of you, my beloved friends, let me say this: Give your pets a merry little Christmas and just let them be. Friends don't let friends dress up their animals at holiday time.
That is all.
Now, obviously, for one's own use, such stamps can be fun and entertaining, especially if recipients of such stamps on cards know the animals in question. But as I looked at these cutie-patootie stamps, one thing in particular struck me.
None of these animals looked happy.
Dressed as elves or angels, gifts or Santa, every single one of them looked put upon, long-suffering, or just downright miserable. I can't think of a less celebratory image than a cat weighted down by a Santa hat or a dog wearing plush reindeer antlers. This poor, put-upon creature will not make my days be merry and bright.
To all of you, my beloved friends, let me say this: Give your pets a merry little Christmas and just let them be. Friends don't let friends dress up their animals at holiday time.
That is all.