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A Dog Is A Lifetime Commitment

Not just a seasonal gift.

Kortney Hall

Oct 19, 2016

Georgia Southern University

354

With Christmas coming up, it is a very common request for a child or even teen to request a "puppy" for their gift, but are you ready for life after the puppy stages? The average dog lives for 12.8 years. Are you ready for 12.8 years? Will you have a child in the next 12 years, if so will you still have enough time to care for your dog and the baby? Will you be moving in the next 12 years? Will your next home be pet friendly? These are all questions you have to consider before you decided to adopt a super sweet puppy as a Christmas gift.

I am so sick of seeing people giving away or even worse selling their 8 and 9 year old dogs, because they are having a baby, moving, getting a new job, and the list goes on. Did you not think of that before you got the dog? Or did you not realize that your dog would live to be 10 years old as the average dog does? Very few people want an older dog, when people go to get a dog they are looking for a puppy. So when you give up on your old age dog who is suppose to take of it?

Puppies cost money! I know this is shocking to some, but especially when they are first born. For the first 6 months of life dogs have to get shots every month- 6 weeks. Someone has to be financially prepared to handle these vet bills in addition to the food, collars (they're going to outgrow the first few), leash, and the many of other small expenses that add up quickly.

Puppies can not train themselves. I can not express this enough. When you get a puppy it will not be trained. It will pee and poop in the house, it will chew toys, carpet, anything around them because they are not trained. Would you bring a newborn baby home and be mad when they poop their diaper when they're 2 days old? You have to be the same way with puppy's. You have to rejoice their success and punish their bad behavior. They can not and will not train themselves.Do your research specifically on the breed you want; not all dogs learn as fast as others.

If you aren't willing to spend the next 12.8 years with a dog as your best friend you should maybe consider a hamster for your next pet.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Dog Is A Lifetime Commitment

Not just a seasonal gift.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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