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If you can barely keep a house plant alive then becoming a dog owner might not be the best idea. Even if you have tons of plants and are a natural home maker there are still several reasons why owning a dog still might not be the best idea for you.
Here are 5 signs that will tell you if you should become a dog owner or not:
1. The Protector – “I want a dog to protect my home in case of a burglar.” If this is your sole reason for having a dog and you honestly will not have the time, dedication, and attention required to care for a pet, invest in a burglar alarm and/or home security system.
2. The Slacker – “I will take the dog to the vet if I see he’s sick, but that’s it.” Please oh please invest in a houseplant if you feel this way. Dogs need year-round care and not just when physical symptoms exist. Often times physical symptoms surface only when an injury/ailment has advanced.3. The Bandwagon Jumper – “I just watched a dog show on television, and now I really want to get a _______ (insert dog breed here).” This one causes me the most angst. Some of the most popular breeds are turned over in puppy mills for fast cash. Ask any of the folks who cherish the Dalmatian breed about how the numbers soared due to the popularity of 101 Dalmatians. It is both sad and tragic reality that the most popular breeds are also the most damaged. I always emit a sigh of relief when my favorite breed flies under the pop culture radar. If you want a dog because he seems “cool” on television or you think he would make a good addition to your family, do research first.
4. The Sneaky Pete – If your landlord won’t allow pets, please on a stack of dog biscuits obey the rules and don’t sneak a dog into your residence. Eventually, someone, somehow, somewhere will rat you out and chances are only one living being will suffer: the dog. One can only surmise how many dogs waiting for a home at shelters across the country landed there because someone found out about them. Obey that “no dogs allowed” policy and if a dog is truly your desire, find a way to move and make it happen.
5. The Busy Bee – If you are gone a large percentage of the day (or night) due to work, family commitments or otherwise, it isn’t fair to bring a dog into a life of near solitude. Because dogs are pack animals, they thrive with the pack, i.e.: you. Without mental stimulation and left to his or her own solitary confinement, a dog will slowly lose his or her spirit.
If you really must have a dog but are just not home very often just consider how much you can actually take your pooch out with you. If you realize that they will not only be left at home a majority of the time but also not taken out with you very often then please, don;t do this to any poor dog.
What other solutions are there for dog owners who are not home with their pup as much as they want to or should be?
Image Source: Ruocaled on Flickr
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