There are countless benefits to welcoming a furry friend into your life. However, it is important to understand that adopting a dog is a 10 – 15-year commitment that you need to be fully prepared for. Before making a beeline for your local animal shelter, here are four things to consider first.
Finances
Even if you opt to adopt the tiniest little pup available, you can still expect it to cost you a minimum of $1,400 every year. As adorable as they are, dogs are also expensive, and you need to be ready from a financial perspective in order to take on such a responsibility. The costs can add up to as much as $4,300 per year, especially when you factor in vet bills, toys, beds, food and treats, grooming, etc. Routine veterinary check-ups are of the utmost importance at a reputable vet like veterinarianfriscotx.com. The question is, can you afford it? If you can, great! If not, for the sake of your bank balance and your future pet, it is better to wait a little while until you can.
Your home
Is your home ready to welcome a dog? Are you alright with having pet hair on your bed and your clothes? Are you worried about your furniture being damaged by enthusiastic little paws? Are you willing to clean up messes in the midst of house-training the new addition? Most importantly of all, is your home of a suitable size to accommodate the breed that you are hoping to adopt?
Your lifestyle
Dogs are social creatures, and they can be quite demanding of your time and attention. The question is, are you at a point in your life where you are able to see to your new pet’s social needs? Or are you still spending extensive periods of time away from home at work, with friends, and generally living a fast-paced lifestyle? Keep in mind that, unless you have a massive backyard, you will also have to take your dog out on a walk at least once a day. Does your lifestyle (and energy levels) allow for this? Or are you utterly exhausted once you return home? While you may be able to hire a dog walking service to take care of this for you, this will obviously be another expense to factor into your calculations.
Your personality
It is a good idea to do plenty of research into different breeds and their personalities before making a final decision at the shelter. Never base your decision based purely on which pooch is the cutest. It is imperative that the dog’s personality is a good match for your own. Are you looking for a laid-back, affectionate dog? Then a Bernese mountain dog or a French bulldog would be ideal choices. Are you looking for a high-energy pet to take with on hikes, runs, and other fun activities? Then a Yorkshire Terrier or a Siberian Husky would be appropriate.
Once you have considered all of this and you are happy to proceed, it is time to add a furry friend to your family! There is no doubt that he or she will bring you endless joy for many months and years to come.
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