Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl this year, and there is only one thing that I want for Christmas.

This year, I have done a lot of good things for people. What I want more than anything is not money, or gifts from other people. It's the gift that other people can give to somebody in need.

My Christmas Wish is for everybody who is considering getting a pet to add to their family, to consider adopting from their local shelters instead of buying puppies. The puppies do not have an expiry date if they are being sold by families, but those waiting in the shelter do. I want all of my friends and families who are lonely and looking for company, or a new addition to the family, to go to their local shelter and give an animal a second chance at life. Most of the dogs in the shelter are there because their owners got them as puppies and didnt do the proper research of the dog. Most buy puppies and they grow bigger than what the family could handle, and they get put into the shelters.

It breaks my heart when people adopt animals from breeders instead of rescuing an animal from a shelter. What a better gift to give, then a second chance to an animal who does not deserve to be waiting on death row! Most rescue dogs are so grateful that they are being saved from the loud small kennels that they will be more loyal than the puppy you buy from the breeders.

Please Santa, make my wish come true! Help guide my friends and family to adopt from a rescue facility this year.

I adopted my dog when he was 6 years old from a family that moved and left him behind. His life expectancy was about 2 years due to the suspected abuse.

He's now turning 13 and still acts like a little puppy, bouncing around the house and playing with the cat.

Wouldn't it be a great Christmas if even 1/3 of the animals waiting for adoption could find it.

Lest we not forget the cats as well; I dont own any dogs anymore, more of a cat person now.

The last two cats I have both came from adoptions from shelters. I dont believe in the 'puppy mills' that turn them out and sell high priced pets by they hundreds without a care for if there is a home for them.

Both of my cats, one is gone now, but they were both the best. The last one, adopted 6 years ago, is the best pet I have ever owned. She knows what time I come home and will be in the window waiting. She clings to me and my wife says my cat loves me more than she does.

I agree with both of you...I rescued my older cat Bella from an abusive home myself, and then the younger cat Maia I adopted from the local shelter. Now I am fostering cats for the ANNEX CAT RESCUE in toronto. I'd do the same with dogs, if I were allowed them in the condo.