I have been a pet owner nearly all of my life and a veterinarian
for almost half of my life, so I have seen my fair share of
animals and animal owners. One of the biggest things I hate is
to see people jump into the decision of buying a dog without
taking time to think through the decision. When the decision to
get a dog as a pet is made without care, the owners and the dog
suffer equally from it.
Before you run out and purchase a dog, take time to carefully
consider your decision. Think about your current lifestyle. How
would bringing a new dog into the picture affect things? Do you
have enough time, energy and money to adequately support
bringing a dog into your family? Sure, the idea sounds great
now, but is it a wise choice?
If you are sure that you
can handle bringing a dog into your home and you are sure that
you have what it takes to really care for your dog, then move
ahead with caution and begin to research what kind of dog might
be best for you. A dog is not a dog is not a dog. I hate hearing
people talk about not really caring about what kind of dog they
get. Each variety of dog is different and requires vastly
different care. Learn what you can about the dogs you are
interested in before making a purchase.
It is great to
visit people who own the kinds of dogs you are interested in.
See what their lives are really like with a dog in the picture.
The more research you do, the better off you will be when you
finally bring a dog into your home. Learn all you can from other
dog owners and get their wisdom for you. I guarentee you that
having a dog as a pet is a wonderful but hard thing.
Prepare your family before bringing a dog into your home. Talk
honestly about the responsibilities that bringing a dog into
your home will mean. Divide up those responsibilities so that
everyone feels like they have an important part to play. A
family will always do better with a dog when they have a right
understanding of the work and commitment it will take to keep
the dog alive and well.
I love seeing families bring a dog into their homes. I am
insistent, however, on seeing the process done well. Please use
caution and wisdom as you seek to make a dog part of your
family.
About the Author:
Hallidae Thomason is a veterinarian and pet lover that really
wants to see people take good care of their dogs. Learn more at
www.dogtimes.info about finding the right
dog for you.
