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ADOPTION IS A BIG STEP! BEFORE COMPLETING AN
APPLICATION PLEASE READ BELOW AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO TAKE IN A NEW
MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY!
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Is dog
ownership right for you? Sure, that cute little bundle of fur and puppy breath
is irresistible right now, but the wrong decision can result in a disaster down
the road. If you want to be sure you are making the right choice, consider these
factors before you finalize those dog adoption papers!
Do you Have What it Takes to Be a Responsible
Dog Owner?
Responsible dog ownership means
more than just adoring your dog. It is a serious lifelong commitment that
requires time and close attention. Before you get a dog, be sure you are ready
to commit to responsible dog ownership
<http://dogs.about.com/od/caringfordogsandpuppies/tp/Responsible-Dog-Ownership.htm>
. Don’t forget -- when Fido misbehaves, you are the one who will have to take
the blame.
Can You Afford a Dog?
Basic
dog expenses
<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1671&articleid=1543>
can range from $400-$3000 per year. Plus, consider all the little extras that
you may want to splurge on for your
pampered pooch. If your dog suffers from a health condition, you could be
looking at spending several more thousand dollars per year. Remember to purchase
pet insurance
<http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/insuranceinfo/a/pethealthinsura.htm>
as soon as you get your new dog – a large percentage of medical expenses may be
covered. Then, make a monthly budget
<http://financialplan.about.com/cs/budgeting/l/blbudget.htm> that
you can stick to.
Is Your Home Appropriate for a Dog?
Pet-proofing
<http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pa_care_issues_safety_proofing>
is not quite the same as child-proofing. Our four-legged companions tend to be
a bit craftier than kids when it comes to off-limits areas (especially those
with edible components). You can hardly expect your dog to be fully trained on
arrival, so there is bound to be the need for confinement and restraint. Do you
rent your home? There is no reason renters cannot be dog owners, but you will
need to work with the landlord. What about size? A studio apartment may not be
ideal if you get a Great Dane. Do you have children or other pets? You cannot be
certain everyone will get along.
Can Your Lifestyle Fit a Dog?
If you work very long hours or
travel frequently, your lifestyle
<http://www.petsalley.com/infofindtherightbreedofdogforyourlifestyle.html>
may not be appropriate for a dog. Though a social life is important to many
people, do friends and dating take up the majority of your free time? Consider
whether or not you are willing to make adjustments to your lifestyle to
accommodate a dog in your life. If not, now is probably not the right time to
get a dog. If you are willing to make changes, consider the time it will take to
provide basic needs
<http://dogs.about.com/od/caringfordogsandpuppies/a/dogsbasicneeds.htm>
such as training, grooming, exercise, and veterinary care. Then, decide if you
can make the time.
Do you have physical limitations?
A chronic health condition or
injury can make it difficult to care for a dog -- especially a larger breed. Be
sure you have someone else who can help when necessary. What about
dog allergies
<http://www.petuniversity.com/dogs/becoming-a-dog-parent/allergic-to-dogs.htm>
? Allergies can seriously debilitate a person, often resulting in the choice to
give up the dog. If you or someone in your household has allergies, spend some
time around dogs to see if the symptoms can be managed. It is simply unfair to
give up a dog for this reason if it can be prevented. If you are disabled in any
way, consider getting a specially trained assistance
dog
<http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/> -- then you will have
a companion and built-in helper!
Melinda Rodriguez
Animal Rescue of Texas (ART)
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