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| Yes, they're very cute. But... Pet Ownership is a Big Responsibility! |
| Each of these will very quickly become one of these ---> |
| ...and, before too long, one of these! <--- |
| Are you ready for the responsibility? There's a lot of it! Read on and see. |
| A pet is a lifetime commitment! So many people are unaware of the enormous responsibilities associated with pet ownership. Although they have good intentions, such people bring a pet into the household and then find that the care involved is just too overwhelming. This can, and often does, lead to tragedy. Many folks, grownups and children alike, want a pet because it's "cute." They see movies, TV shows or commercials featuring adorable baby animals. Or maybe a neighbor's pet has just given birth to a litter. These people get their hearts set on a puppy (most often a specific breed puppy), or a kitten. So, without giving any thought to what pet ownership entails, they bring a furry friend into the household. Everyone oohs and aahs over the cute little thing. Everybody wants to pick it up, cuddle it and play with it. But in many instances--surprise!--nobody wants to take care of it. Oh, sure, it looks easy to anyone who's never had a pet. They think all you have to do is throw some food in front of it a couple times a day and that's it. The rest of the time, it's there to be your playmate whenever you want. How much trouble can such a cute little thing be? Hello!!! Having a pet is like having a child. A perpetual child, in fact, because the average fully grown dog has the mental capacity of the average 3-year-old human. And you don't just feed and walk a dog and that's it. There is a lot more involved, and a lot of caveats to be aware of before making a major decision like becoming a pet owner. First of all, a pet is a living creature. Obtaining one is not like buying a TV. Don't go into it thinking that if it doesn't work out, if you're not happy with your choice, you'll just exchange it or get rid of it. A pet owner becomes the animal's "parent" for life. And the average canine life expectancy is 14 years. If you adopted a child, you wouldn't return that child to the adoption agency because it failed to meet your preconceived expectations, would you? I would certainly hope not! Nor should you carry that kind of mentality with you when you're looking to adopt an animal. A pet isn't a toy. You don't just put the animal down somewhere when you're finished playing with it and expect it to just sit passively waiting for you to come back. Very young animals are like very young children. When they're not asleep, they're wide awake and looking for entertainment! For a puppy who's begun teething, this may involve chewing your favorite shirt to bits. It's at this point when many people lose their patience and cart the poor thing off to an animal shelter, when the poor puppy's only crime was being a puppy! That is what young dogs do. They're not being malicious, and they're not being destructive to spite you. So if you're planning on adopting a puppy, you might want to rearrange your household first so the animal can't get hold of anything you don't want destroyed. Stocking up on chew toys is a good idea too. If you have your heart set on a certain breed, know the characteristics of that breed before committing yourself. Don't just go by looks. Is the breed smart, or isn't it known for its intelligence? Will it be easy to train? Will it be a couch potato or hyperactive? Are there any inherent health problems you'll have to look out for? Many large breeds have back or hip problems. Some poodles develop eye problems later in life. Make sure that if you go that route, you purchase your dog from a reliable breeder who will guarantee the health of the pet. |