If you are a dog person and you are used to having a dog, you know how challenging, but also very rewarding, it is to have a dog in your home. Also, you know how much responsibility it takes to own a dog and take care of it in the best possible manner. You have to devote time, money, love and compassion to that lovely creature, so think twice before adopting a dog. Because its life will depend on you, you don’t want to make that decision in the spur of the moment. Before you bring your furry friend home, make sure you have considered the following:
Space
Look around your home and think about the space that you have. Do you live in an apartment or in a house? Does your home have a backyard or not? Is there enough space for a dog to have its own corner with toys, dog bed and other stuff?
Also, the breed of your dog plays a very important role when it comes to the space it needs. Smaller dogs can be happy in smaller apartments, but bigger dogs will feel cramped there, and possibly depressed. Not to mention that some breeds, like hunting dogs, have a strong natural craving for open spaces and a lot of activity.
Money
Having a dog is not cheap. Here are just some of the expenses you will need to count on: toys, dog food, vaccination, neutering, regular vet visits, dog-sitting if you decide to travel, grooming tools and many more. Put those on paper and calculate the average monthly expenses that you’ll have with your dog. Then see if that is the amount of money that you can spend on a dog. If that is the amount that you can easily spare, you can think about adopting a dog.
Time
Dog needs your attention all the time. It needs to be walked, fed, groomed and played with every day. Think long and hard about how much free time you have during a day and how much of that free time you can spend with your dog. The last thing you want and need is to have a dog that will be miserable with you or the one that will be feeling lonely and abandoned.
Children
ChildrenIf you have kids or you are planning on having them that should influence your decision on adopting a dog. What will happen to your dog when you have a baby? Will you be able to keep providing it with all the care that it is used to once you have a baby? Does your kid like dogs? Does the dog like kids? All these questions need to be answered before the dog enters your home.
Devotion
Having a dog is just like having a new member of your family. It requires love, devotion, time and affection and it gives a lot of it back. Therefore, if you cannot give any of these things to your dog, it is best that you leave it for somebody who can.
Although it may sound as if I’m trying to talk you out of the decision to get a dog, it is not the case. These things should encourage your wish to have a dog and make the dog and yourself happy about it.
