 Before
you go out and buy that cute little puppy in the petshop, do think if
you are truly ready to keep a pet...
 All
puppies are cute, but that's no reason to go out there and buy one. How
long can puppyhood last? 7 months, 8 months, at most 1 year, and then it
will be an adult dog that you'd have for the rest of its life. A dog's
life span ranges from 15 to 20 years. Are you ready to commit yourself
to the dog for the whole of its lifetime?
Here is a list of points you have to
consider before you buy a dog:
-
Paying the
man in the petshop for the puppy will not be the end of your
financial investment in the dog. You have to bring the puppy for his
vaccinations during the first few months, followed by annual
check-ups and booster shots. A trip to the vet costs at least $50,
but be prepared to pay more if the dog suffers from other illnesses.
If your dog suffers from problems like skin problems and hip
dysplasia (which is commonly discovered with dogs purchased from
unreliable source), this is the start of a nightmare because
treatment is very costly.
-
 You
have to start training the puppy when he comes home. Be prepared for
accidents (indiscriminate peeing and pooing) in the house when the
dog is not house-broken yet. Be prepared for chewed furnitures
in the house when the puppy goes through his teething stage.
-
You have
to socialise the puppy from young so that he won't grow up to be an
overly timid or aggressive dog. Do you have the time to bring the
puppy out for socialisation, and even training?
-
According
to the SPCA, cruelty to animals does not just constitute
physical abuse; keeping a dog chained or caged up the whole day is a
form of cruelty too. So, do you have the time to bring the dog out
for exercise? At least a 15-minute walk everyday, rain or shine?
-
 Are
you willing to live in a house full of dog fur lying on the sofa, on
the floor, on the bedsheet, and even the dining table? All dogs
shed, even a tiny dog like a Chihuahua sheds a lot during the
shedding season.
-
Will you
keep your dog when there is a new addition to the family, e.g.
getting married, having a baby, etc.?
-
When the
dog grows old, he might have heart problems, eye problems and
other health problems associated with old age, will you still
be willing to take care of him?
The dog is
just a pet to you, but to the dog, you're his everything. You must be
able to provide for him (shelter, food, exercise, love) throughout his
lifetime.
 
If the above
is not enough to make you ponder, read this: Are
you ready for a dog (from Dog
Breed Info)
If you think
you are ready for a dog, then welcome to the wonderful world of pet
dogs.
Writer:
HL Thio, C Lai
11
May 2001
Coming up next: The search
for that perfect dog
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