Questions to Ask

Is A Dog Really Right For Me?

Buying or adopting a dog is very definitely a long term commitment. You need to honestly ask yourself whether you will be able to devote the next 15 years or more of your life to this new pet. Are you in a position to provide all the food, shelter, attention and veterinary care this animal will need over his or her entire life? Before you jump to any answers, please consider the many aspects of pet ownership:

Your Lifestyle - Think about your lifestyle for a moment. Are you away from home a great deal of the time? Do you work long hours or travel frequently? A dog should be a companion, who will have ample time to spend with you. Like humans, dogs are social creatures who love to interact with people and other animals. If you will have very little time to spend with your dog, perhaps a goldfish would be a better pet to consider.
Your Home - Is your home large enough to share with a dog? How will your neighbors feel about this new addition? Will anyone (besides yourself) be disturbed if your dog barks a lot? If you live in an apartment, are there any restrictions on having a dog? Do you have ample areas around your home for your dog to exercise and relieve himself?
Your Finances - Buying a dog is only the first step; feeding and caring for your pet over its lifetime are where the real costs lie. Food, veterinary care, licenses, kennels, grooming and supplies can really add up. If you are unfamiliar with these costs, you might want to visit our section titled "What Are The Costs of Owning a Dog?"
Veterinary Care - A dog, like any member of a family, should receive quality medical care. When you first pick up your dog, you will be expected to have him immunized against several diseases, and perhaps be neutered as well. You will also need to revisit your vet at least once each year for regular follow-up care. Again, these needs can be time consuming and costly, especially if an illness ever occurs. Like a marriage, this commitment is "in sickness and in health".
Messes - Yes Virginia, dogs can be messy. If you plan to keep your dog inside your home, you can count on a variety of challenges, such as: housebreaking accidents, muddy paws tracked across carpeting, pet odors, puppy teething damage on clothing and furnishings, knickknacks being broken, flea and tick infestations, shedding, scratching, etc, etc. How will you feel when these virtually inevitable events occur?

In Summary:
If you have doubts about any of these issues, perhaps you should wait and give this important decision more thought. Postponing your decision is far more preferable than jumping into pet ownership before you think you are really ready. On the other hand, if none of these areas come as a surprise to you, and you consider all these aspects of owning a dog as simply "second nature" and part of the joy, you are probably ready for the big step. Your biggest challenge (and a great deal of the fun) will be in finding the right dog for you!

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