For my husband last Christmas the kids and I and some friends of ours all pitched in together to get my husband another large dog. He hasn't had his own dog for a few years and he wasn't even sure he wanted one, but I just knew he did somewhere deep down inside! Sooooo I started looking at dogs and puppies in shelters. I figured it would be more worthwhile getting a dog from a shelter who really needed a home and we found a wonderful shepherd mix at a local shelter who was three months old at Christmas! We wrapped and put a big box over him and hubby just cried when he removed the box and met his gift!! His name is Basil and he's about 80 pounds of wonderful dog now and he's a mix of German Shepherd/Golden Retriever/Belgian Malenois Shepherd. He is a gentle giant too as we have a one year old grandson who can "play dentist" with him and he crawls on him and gives him big hugs and such! We also have a little Cocker Spaniel who is still the boss....but he has to jump on the couch to gain the height he needs to boss his big brother Basil around!!

Good for you making such a huge decision and I am delighted your husband was happy with his present. Dogs are fantastic once they are looked after and treated well. I had a dog and the care that he took was immense, I feel it will be another long while before I get another one. Good luck with your adorable pet.

That's a wonderful gift!! And what a fun idea to pack the doggie in a box! Did he sit quetly in there?

We have two cats whom we adopted from shelters, and I couldn't wish for better pets. They are cute, affectionate, and funny. I think they love having a home and a family.

That is a wonderful story! I am so happy that your husband really wanted the dog.

I think that dogs from shelters are great. They need a home and don't cost thousands of dollars! Good choice.

How sweet! Shelter animals can make the best pets - they seem to always know that someone's saved their lives. Even ones that have been neglected or abused appreciate the TLC that they get when they find their forever home with someone who really, truly wants them and loves them.

I used to help at our local shelter, so I got to see it first hand how a frightened, often abused animal arrives and then learns to trust people and begins to strive. The soak all the love you give them, and return it with interest! I think they never forget their past, and they are grateful for being rescued.

Two of my animals.. Zoey and Rose were adopted. I think it's the best way to get animals, because they need a loving home soo badly

If you wanna see my babies.. www.myspace.com/itzwinkie