To own a pet or not to own? That is the question.For over half of the nation’s population, the answer is easy. They are "pet owners", either individuals or families who support dogs, cats, and other types of domesticated animals. However, the same percentage of households has never owned one. The question thus becomes - “Is it a good idea at all or is it now the good time to bring a new member into the family?” Why Should You Own one? Pets, especially dogs and cats, have a phenomenal ability to provide love and affection to their owners. They make great companions and the benefits of owning one are numerous. According to a one-year study that was reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1990), individuals who owned reported fewer doctor contacts than respondents who did not own. Furthermore, stress levels were much lower with owner population as compared to people that don't own. The study ultimately concluded that healthy elder care was connected to owning domesticated animals. What are the characteristics of a pet that not only makes it special to own, but a key to healthy lifestyle? According to an article by Pat Sable titled Pets, Attachment, and Well-Being across the Life Cycle, they "may supply ongoing comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness during adversity or stressful transitions such as divorce or bereavement. They can also provide an opportunity to nurture others.” So if this is true and you’ve never owned a one before, you probably are wondering what the major benefits to ownership are. Owners, especially those who own dogs and cats, tend to experience an emotional connection to the animal. You’ve probably heard that dogs and cats have personalities of their own, and this is very true. Animals have done such amazing things which are published quite often: "Dog saves handicap owner from being stuck in the snow kept barking until someone called police” or “a man's dog saved his life last week, when he fell asleep on his sofa after putting a pot of water on his gas stove to boil” or “She saved her owner’s life by knocking her out of the way as the roof of her house caved in” and “Kaiser, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was simply trying to protect his owner when he got stabbed by a knife.” Dogs also provide a way to stay physically fit. Dogs are generally very active and need to exercise every day. They make exceptional walking companions, which in turn makes you healthier. Last but not least, they also are a nice tool for social interaction. When you are at the park, you’ll likely connect with other owners who share a similar passion and love. But it is not only joy and fun… Owning one is a large commitment. While for the majority of time pets are “a bottle of joy,” they also require a lot of care and patience from time to time. Dogs, while an amazing companion, are also high maintenance animals. Unless they are very well trained, dogs need to be taken care of often. You must feed and provide water every day and walk them at least twice a day. Cats require much less attention but they are most likely to damage your property. Cat owners also must clean their sandbox in order to avoid unpleasant smells. Dogs and cats
also need an area to roam and exercise. If you live in a small
apartment complex, nursing home, or senior living center - it’s very
likely that the complex has rules against owning larger animals. Even
if the complex does allow them, you may not have enough adequate space
to allow your dog or cat to exercise fully.
A Difficult dilemma arises whenever you decide to go on vacation: should we travel with our dog or find a suitable place for its stay? Wouldn't we miss it or better, wouldn't it hate me when I am back? And let’s not forget that raising one requires a budget. Aside from the money needed to buy it, you must set aside a portion of your income each month for bills. The bills may range from daily expenses like food and toys to more expensive trips to the Vet. If you are short on money, time, or space - you may not provide the ultimate care your animal deserves, please consider it carefully before making your final decision. Make Your Choice If you have weighed the benefits with the limitations of ownership and still feel like you could handle a new pet, the next question becomes - What kind do I want to take care of? Domesticated animals range from fish, gerbils, and birds to dogs and cats. Fish make exceptional pets because it requires a rather low cost to set-up a small aquarium and invest in a couple of fish. Once you have the tank established, all you need to do is keep the water clean and provide a little food each day. Fish, however, cannot provide the same comfort and excitement of a dog or cat, as they are nice to watch but provide absolutely no interaction. Dogs are said to be man’s best friend and with good reason. They are energetic, active, and adorable. Dogs will provide affection for years. However, like previously noted, they require a lot of time and energy. Cats are a nice “in-between” pet. They provide more personality than a fish, but a lot less maintenance than the dog. Most cats are perfectly independent when left with food, water, and a liter box. You’ll also find through numerous testimony that a dog or cat will evolve over time from “just another animal” into a member of your family. Birds, snakes, gerbils, and other more exotic pets are perfectly applicable for the right situation. As always, it’s highly recommended that you do a little research beforehand and consult an expert at the pet store for more advice. Puppy, Kitten, or Grown-Up? It’s hard to resist the temptation of buying a puppy or kitten. They’re incredibly adorable. With that being said, you can also find an equally adorable dog or cat at the local shelter. Puppies and kittens allow you the special opportunity of watching them grow up, but they require much more of your attention and need to be trained. Training a dog is especially tedious and requires a great deal of time and patience. Dogs or cats with are rescued from the animal shelter are given a new home. Generally the pets at a shelter are grown-up and already fully functional. The only negative with this route is that all dogs and cats have different personalities and you have no idea how well trained they were in the past. If the dog is aggressive or excessively wild, you may have a bigger headache than that of a puppy. Regardless of your situation, pets make a fantastic addition to the household. They provide invaluable comfort and love. They make also save you from time to time, as was the case with a dog in Colorado who barked just in time to awake the household from a fire that would have trapped them only a few minutes later.
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