Are You Ready? (to Own a Dog or Pet)

Owning a dog (or any pet for that matter) is a significant responsibility. You are taking on a life for its (the animals), lifetime. To look after and care for and give it the best life you can.

Hopefully that is the intention you have, obviously we have our personal reasons; of having a companion, to add pleasure and fun to our life and as long as we are prepared to take on the responsibility previously mentioned with all that, that involves (including the unknown) then you may be ready to have a dog or pet.

In order to have a great relationship with your pet the responsibility starts and ends with you.

You need to be confident that you are in a position to keep a dog for its life time. This can be 15 years in many cases. Can you see where you’ll be in 5, 10, 15 years?

Taking on a pet especially a dog is not a case of simply having a dog for a few months or years and then giving it to someone else, because your circumstances have changed. It is extremely hard, (I would like to say basically impossible) to give a full grown dog to another owner, people in almost all cases, want puppies not a second hand dog. Not to mention what the poor dog goes through, having loved and been so loyal to you all its life to be abandon by you.

The kind of people that take on dogs in this situation only generally do so out of concern for the animals welfare. This should not be a responsibility you give to others as it is your responsibility. Nor should you abandon the animal where it can end up becoming wild or need to be caught and put down.

A shockingly high number of dogs get dumped or put into shelters and end up being put down every year, we need to be educated and responsible so as to stop this endless murder of innocent lives it just shouldn’t happen.

So don’t be so swept up by the moment of seeing that gorgeous puppy in the pet window, that “you have to have it”. You need to be committed. Do you want to be someone that has contributed to all these dogs that get dis-guarded and end up dead because you were swept up by the moment?

If you think your ready, please also consider your lifestyle. Are you settled? Or do you have a lifestyle that would suit a dog? You will be sharing your life with another and must also think of their needs. They need shelter, food, water, visits to the vets, regular exercise, time to learn/work and time to play.

They need to rely on you for these things. This also means that you need to spend time with your dog. They are extremely social creatures and enjoy hanging out coupled with regular walks and play time which is great for bonding.

Are you able to be with your dog for a sufficient time each day. I have researched that a puppy should not be without you basically “at all”, yes! that is true they should not be left alone for any period of time. That’s huge right?! And a dog shouldn’t be without its owner for more than 4 hours.

We know that for most of us with full time jobs that this is impossible and so a dog is subjected to this during the working week. Now perhaps you can understand why they are so excited to see you at the end of the day!

Decide whether you are prepared and in a situation to take on the long term commitment of a dog and then think about it. Having a dog is a greatly rewarding a positive thing to have in your life and you and your dog deserve the best start and life time together.

Submitted By: Tahnesha McPherson