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Adopting a Pet?
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Everyone wants to own a pet but very few people give it a thought if they really need a pet and if they really are eligible to adopt one. Also, very few people think about the pet they can adopt i.e. a cat, dog, horse etc.

I always wanted to adopt a dog. I am very fond of dogs. Dogs are man's best friends. Even when I was a child I would think about the comforts and 'life style' I would offer to my pet. Every time I thought of going ahead and adopting a dog, I discovered some new reason to postpone my decision.

I always was very busy with school, studies and other activities. Then I used to think that who would take care of my pet when I am not home? We lived in an apartment. how would be there with my pet if everyone is busy and who would take him out for a walk?

Today when I look back, I feel good about myself to have thought of all these things and not having a pet. People should give it a thought and see if they can really go for a pet. Here is a small list which could help those who are planning to own a pet in the future:

  1. Space
    Do you have enough space at your place where you could comfortably accommodate a pet? Think about where would your pet take a nap, eat his food. If you are adopting a dog think of the space you have where he could comfortably move around. Think of the dog's breed which you can accommodate in the available space. If you stay in an apartment with a couple of rooms and a lot of stuff in it, a big dog could be troublesome and it won't be good for the dog either.
  2. Time & Consistency
    Do you have enough time to look after your pet? If not you, there should be someone in your home who could look after the pet in your absence. I have seen people being very nice with their pets when they are new and healthy. But after a few days nobody cared how the pet was doing!

  3. Kids in your home
    If you have kids or new born babies in your home you should think even more, 10 times before owning a pet. Babies and kids need a lot of time and attention, so do the pets. Decide your priority. Also, babies, kids and old people in the home or even the other adults may have allergies. Pet’s hair, smell etc could trigger some allergies. Visit a doctor to check this out and see f your family history has any of the allergies.
  4. Health and Life style
    Ideally your pet should be one of your family members. A pet should always enjoy the same privileges and rights as any of the family member. Taking good care of their health, food, medical checkups is an important thing to follow. One should see if he can afford a pet and offer him a better life style. Be nice to your pet and don't hit him for any reason. Some countries have strict laws about pets and their rights but one shouldn't need an enforced law to take good care of a family member!
I have always lacked on some of these points and thus haven't been able to adopt my favorite pet yet. Hope you will think about this before you own an adorable and lovable pet.
By: niksan
Published: 07/23/08


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7 Posted Comments:

@ 10:35 am 09/26/08 by Willow Sidhe
This is great advice! I'm very bad about bringing home strays even when I shouldn't. I already have two adopted dogs and haven't the space for any more. Every one should really think it through before bringing an animal home. If you don't have the necessities it will only make the animal's life and your life unhappy.
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@ 4:47 pm 09/26/08 by gabzhier
I myself had too many dogs before (at least 7) but now i only have 1. I think I didn't have enough time to care them and i feel sorry cause most of them died. I blame myself for being a no good person who is responsible to take care of them but i didn't do it.

I did not even think these factors such as Space,Time and consistency, kids in your home, health and lifestyle, it is now that i realized the things i was lacking of why my pets suffer because of me.
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@ 12:24 pm 09/27/08 by Chris
Good article, i was thinking of getting a hamster or two and come upon your article. Now i have to reconsider the issue of whether i have enough space and time to really take care of them. Luckily no kids issues.
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@ 6:59 pm 09/27/08 by Ette_Rual
i have this knack of picking up stray cats and letting them into our house. unfortunately, my dad has an asthma. so we have to send them away.

right now, we have two dogs. one of them simply followed me home. my dad did not have any allergic reaction with him so we let him stay. good article by the way. keep it up
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Checklist

@ 7:18 am 09/28/08 by Jannie Borg Larsen
- Well, I agree with you so far as it is very important to take well care of a pet. Animals also deserve to be able to enjoy their lives... But, for me, humans are the first priority and even if an animal is loved, it could never ever take an equal place with a real human family member. That said, it can be very easy to get attached to an animal too. Also, your idea about a checklist to aid in thinking this matter through is very good.
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@ 9:12 pm 09/28/08 by C.D. Crowder
Great info and checklist. So many people end up adopting a pet without thinking only to surrender it to the pound a few weeks later. I know people want to help out and give animals a home, but only do it if you truly can.
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@ 7:29 pm 10/05/08 by agihcam
WOW. I never thought about such idea before doing so. Yet, I think I don't have issues with the space since we are living in an open space and have enough rooms for them.
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