Getting a Labrador puppy as an early Christmas present backfires: ‘No thanks’

Time is running out to buy holiday gifts for loved ones and as one TikTok the user has learned, it might be better to do it sooner rather than later in case refunds are needed.

Jack Murdoch decided to give his A Labrador retriever named Hero an early Christmas present, but unfortunately, the video, which was released earlier this month, revealed that the first meeting did not turn out as expected.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” reads the text on the video.

It turns out Hero got a new puppy or sister and she wasn’t necessarily reacting in the best way, completely ignoring the 8-week-old puppy, Murdoch said. Newsweek via TikTok.

In the video, which had more than 10,000 views as of Friday afternoon, Hero can be seen constantly sniffing his wrapped present. She was intrigued at first when the lid slid off to reveal a labrador puppy named Nora sitting inside, but after a few more sniffs, Hero left.

“Hero had no interest at all and spent her time pretending she didn’t exist,” Murdoch said.

However, the good news is that Hero realized after processing that the new dog was here to stay. Murdoch said they are now best friends.

“Nora climbs over her constantly licking Hero’s ears, and Hero just lies there and sniffs her like a mother,” he added.

This is just the beginning of a very nice friendship between the two labs.

Furry Christmas gifts

Many people will burst into tears this holiday season because they open a box with a surprise puppy inside. It’s a wonderful and thoughtful gift that everyone will remember, but it’s important to understand that dogs and other pets are a big responsibility.

Rover, a dog walking company, lists reminders on its website for people to consider before gifting a puppy to a loved one. Between dog food, veterinary care, toys, bedding and other supplies, dogs can be expensive. In addition, owners must devote their time and energy to dog training.

Ask yourself the following questions before giving someone a new dog for the holidays:

• Can a person commit to 10-15 years of care?
• Are they allergic to pet hair?
• Will they have the financial means to provide the animal with proper care and vet visits?
• Does the person live in a house where pets are allowed?

The best gift to give is planning a puppy before you surprise someone with a fur baby.

Do you have funny and cute videos or pictures of your pet that you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and could be featured in our Pet of the Week lineup.