Consider the dear woman, the wife of an Army reservist called to duty in Afghanistan, whose dog was having separation anxiety. Desperate to help the pet, she called the SPCA of Wake County. And she got her help. So say many thousands of pet owners who deal with this marvelous organization year in and year out. Last year, the group helped over 17,000 animals.

Help means many things. It means adoption, and spaying and neutering, and rescue. It means pet food for low-income owners who need a little assistance in order to keep their beloved animals with them. It means comfort. It means life.

“We help people and pets,” said Mondy Lamb, the group’s director of development. Yes, indeed.

So for those pondering a gift for the little ones this holiday, how about something in a puppy, or even an older model? No exhaustive shopping needed. And one size fits all.