Want a pet? Then be prepared for the responsibilities this involves for the entire lifetime of the animal, Christmas included. Make sure that it is comfortable, well fed and groomed. Pets with very long hair are hard to manage in wet, muddy conditions. A lot of the grooming may be minor tidy ups and can be done at home, but make your booking early if you use a professional groomer. These people get very busy just before Christmas and may not be able to cope with your pet if you leave it too late. Don't you think that people who say Christmas is a bad time to get a pet do not know a thing about the pleasure of having a pet?