Every kid wants a puppy to love. The soft furry bundles nuzzling their leg on a cold winter's night are difficult to resist. So it's hard to say no when you look into those sad little eyes, the pouting grin, the little whimper of tears - the puppy's not the child's.
They may become your best friend and behave like a new baby, but don't forget that they are living, breathing beings. Before you burden your family with the extra responsibility and cost, think before you bring a dog home.
Dogs are a Big Responsibility for Their Owners
Just like a newborn baby, domestic pets like cats and dogs rely on their owners - for everything. They need love and attention, food and exercise. If dogs are left alone in the house for a long period of time, they can become agitated. This can result in constant barking that annoys the neighbors, or worse. In some, the anxiety is so severe that they can take out their aggressions on your personal belongings. It is not unheard of for shoes, pillows, or large furniture pieces to be ruined by a distraught dog.
Can You Really Afford a Dog?
Owning a dog may mean sacrificing savings or extra money for your family just to look after the dog properly. If you don't have lots of disposable cash, think carefully before bringing a dog home.
Your first couple of hundred dollars will be spent just buying the dog. There will be several once-off costs - bowls, a leash, a crate, kennel, brushes and toys should last a while, although a puppy will outgrow some of them. Your biggest recurring expense will be dog food. Depending on the size of your dog and what type of food you buy, this can run up hundreds of dollars in expenses each year. We live in a gourmet world and if you want to show off to your friends that your dog has good taste, be prepared to pay extra.
Because pets don't have health insurance, you will be responsible for their medical bills too. Dogs and cats need vaccinations, just like babies, spaying or neutering and of course other illness or injuries will need treatment from a veterinarian. More serious illnesses can quickly rack up huge vet bills too.
Bringing home a pet is no small undertaking. Yes, they are wonderful to have in our lives. They bring great joy to many people but they also require attention and a hefty investment. Do some soul searching and be sure that you are prepared to give the pet everything it needs before you take on the responsibility of another living being.
They may become your best friend and behave like a new baby, but don't forget that they are living, breathing beings. Before you burden your family with the extra responsibility and cost, think before you bring a dog home.
Dogs are a Big Responsibility for Their Owners
Just like a newborn baby, domestic pets like cats and dogs rely on their owners - for everything. They need love and attention, food and exercise. If dogs are left alone in the house for a long period of time, they can become agitated. This can result in constant barking that annoys the neighbors, or worse. In some, the anxiety is so severe that they can take out their aggressions on your personal belongings. It is not unheard of for shoes, pillows, or large furniture pieces to be ruined by a distraught dog.
Can You Really Afford a Dog?
Owning a dog may mean sacrificing savings or extra money for your family just to look after the dog properly. If you don't have lots of disposable cash, think carefully before bringing a dog home.
Your first couple of hundred dollars will be spent just buying the dog. There will be several once-off costs - bowls, a leash, a crate, kennel, brushes and toys should last a while, although a puppy will outgrow some of them. Your biggest recurring expense will be dog food. Depending on the size of your dog and what type of food you buy, this can run up hundreds of dollars in expenses each year. We live in a gourmet world and if you want to show off to your friends that your dog has good taste, be prepared to pay extra.
Because pets don't have health insurance, you will be responsible for their medical bills too. Dogs and cats need vaccinations, just like babies, spaying or neutering and of course other illness or injuries will need treatment from a veterinarian. More serious illnesses can quickly rack up huge vet bills too.
Bringing home a pet is no small undertaking. Yes, they are wonderful to have in our lives. They bring great joy to many people but they also require attention and a hefty investment. Do some soul searching and be sure that you are prepared to give the pet everything it needs before you take on the responsibility of another living being.
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