We've all been there.
That cute Golden Retriever puppy you see bounding around in the park, or the sweet Yorkie you met at a your cousin's birthday party last week. It's hard not to drop your last three paychecks on an adorable, furry-legged and stinky breath companion.
Trust me, I know.
This past January I saw a handsome fella's picture online looking for love, and no, I'm not talking about match.com. It took just one sun and one moon before I had an insanely silly Basset Hound / Labrador Retriever mix taking ownership of all of my living room furniture and, of course, my heart. Now obviously I don't regret my decision to adopt my best friend, who is currently hogging the bed and running in his sleep. I do, however, know that January 2016 probably wasn't the best time or place to get a dog. Here is my reasoning:
#1. Adopting a dog or buying a puppy is SO MUCH MORE than the initial fees. I cannot stress this enough. Sure, my tax return helped a lot, but it is also long gone. Beginning with the large sum of money just to officially become his/her owner, there are required medical expenses that tag along with your little fluff ball. Is he/she spayed/neutered? Are they up to date on their yearly vaccines, heartworm and fecal checks? And then there are the surprise medical expenses. Right off the bat, I had to take my pride and joy to the Vet to be treated for kennel cough. When his cough and symptoms weren't improving, I spent $200 on chest x-rays to make sure his heart and lungs were still in business. At nine years old, 63 in dog years, I was scared to death that he could have an underlying condition. And of course, I had already fallen in love.
Just like humans, dogs get sick too! They can't decide for themselves whether or not to be seen by the Vet, or dial the phone to schedule an appointment with their primary doctor, and therefore they depend on us to evaluate their symptoms. There will be times when you miss work for your furry kid, and spend yesterday's pay day on their bill. This is to be expected.
You might be a homeowner and not have to pay extra for your new companion to become a new household member. However, if you are renting a place, there will most likely be an absurd nonrefundable pet fee, as well as a refundable deposit (if there is no damage at the end of your lease), and monthly pet rent on top of that. Make sure you speak with your landlord or managing company prior to adding to "the pack" to make sure you can afford each & every expense. And don't forget, dogs need to eat too! Monthly 30 pound food bags add up fast.
#2. Time and exercise. If you work a full 8 hour day and aren't ever in the mood to walk or run after your shift, getting a dog may not be right for you (or for the pup)! Imagine being cooped up for most of the day and then having dinner, a quick potty break, and back to bed. We have other obligations, such as school and work, to keep us busy throughout the work week. Our dogs, however, don't share the same stimulation and interactions that we receive on a daily basis. They wait hours for us to arrive home, and then stare at us as if they expect us to have an entire itinerary planned for the evening. An in all honesty, we should! We should have a date planned with our significant other to stroll around the dog park after work, so our fur kids can run loose and socialize. Another plus: We burn calories too! A lot of dogs in shelters and humane societies were "returned" because the owner didn't realize how much work and effort they had to put into their new family member. Do intensive research on the breed you are planning on bringing home. Know how much exercise they typically require and how much training you will have to endure. Being correctly informed ahead of time helps ensure you can provide them with the best care so that they can live a happy and healthy life.
#3. Living arrangements.
This is a tough one. You may the money, time, and commitment needed to get a dog yet you live in a one bedroom apartment on the fourth floor. For some breeds this home may be suitable. However, if you are planning on bringing home a Great Pyrenees whose head is the size of the shoebox living room, it might be doomed from the start. Make sure you and your new roommate can live comfortably in the space you are provided with. And remember, exercise is still an important factor. If there is a park right next door that you dedicate your time several times a day to walk your large dog, you might be just fine. P.S. Don't forget about the pet fees I mentioned earlier if you are renting!
#4. Are YOU ready?
Taking on the responsibility of another being is a tough thing to do, especially if you have never been the official caretaker of someone before. Be confident in your decision and don't be afraid to ask for help! A lot of the time training classes are necessary, and you may need to work extra with your Lab who won't stop chewing up your shoes. If you are working 40+ hours a week with activities piled up outside of work, you may not be ready to commit.
There are a million other things to consider before brining a new dog home. Remember, they are just like kids! They require a lot of attention, discipline, exercise, and money. If you prepare in advance and accurately research everything necessary, dogs are easily one of the best additions to your life and to your family. They will brighten up your each and every day and their love is unconditional. After all, nothing beats coming home to a wagging tail and a million kisses!
