I just cannot comprehend that Christmas is in two weeks.

It's also that time of year again where we sit and ponder, and worry and turn ourselves inside out trying to plan what we are going to get people for Christmas.

Ironically, while I'm still mentally almost in spring, physically this year I am ahead of myself in getting everyone's presents as early as possible so I don't have to return for battle at the local shopping centre in the week leading up to Christmas.

And despite the protests from family members, if you don't tell me what you want in time, tough!

So at this point in December, I'm very proud of myself.

Unfortunately this is also the time of year that people receive pets as presents  and a lot of pets get dumped.

``Pets are forever, not just for Christmas''.

We've all heard it, but do we really about think it?

Here's my line: owning a pet is not a right, it's a privilege.

Anyone who owns a pet and treats it like a member of their family (a fur kid), can vouch for that.

When those gorgeous pets are sitting in the pet store, their beautiful doleful eyes looking up at you, and you feel that connection  it's when we tend to buy on a whim and don't really think about the consequences.

Unfortunat ely one of my reporters had a traumatic experience when she was approached outside a pet store by two men holding a box of kittens that they were offering to people for free.

While they probably had the best intentions, it was scary to think where the kittens might end up.

But, if you do get a cat or dog for Christmas, and absolutely love it and want to provide it with a home, then make sure you register it properly, with your address, to ensure your pet will get tracked back to you if it gets lost.

The last thing you need is your beloved pet to be added to the death-row inmates at the local pound.