Of all things said in my previous post about considerations in getting a pet, I have written about the basic costs, while the other half may be the harder part. Getting a pet is all about WORK.
Sure you have the interest and disposable money, but unless you have a someone devoted to physically rear your pet, you would have to do the nasty legwork yourself. If money is not really a limitation, here are the things you still need to consider.
1. BONDING TIME
Why did you get a pet in the first place? For fishes, hamsters and birds, the bonding sessions might be limited by aquariums and cages, but for four legged creatures that you usually take along with you, bonding is an essential key for a happy companionship. I've witnessed how these domestic animals depend on whatever you act and say. They need you form them to live in exchange for their lives and unending loyalty. Pets need affection and attention. They need to know that they could trust in you and that they could follow you. Bonding deepens friendship and trust. You need your pet to acknowledge and trust you, so the relationship should be healthy and deep. Spending an hour a day is enough for the bonding process to achieve desired effects.
2. EXERCISE
I'm not the physical person. To put it bluntly I hate exercise. But caring for three dogs, made me move around. Just like any human, you don't want them to be obese and weak. Exercise strengthens their immune system, makes them more attuned with nature and be more physically fit and agile. Without exercise, your pets may get bored and tend to be restless. Exercise will not only calm your pet and make them healthy, but it will also help the human, lazy humans in particular, to at least move around. Join marathons and club meets to vary physical activities.
3. CLEAN UP
Pets live in the moment. They don't really care if they can't hold their shit...literally. They'd go anywhere more appropriate for them to do their business. Owners should be responsible to look after their pet's wastes. I was guilty of ignoring this basic rule at first. I found it disgusting to take care of their wastes especially if you're not prepared with 'materials.' But maturity sinks in. We have to be grateful for public establishments to accommodate our pets, but we have to maintain that goodwill by cleaning up after them. I think it's also high time to thank my household companion, Ate Ne, who has been in our family for years. Not only did she raise us siblings, but she also accommodate my dogs as well. She treats them as her own. Naturally, I shouldn't be depending on her to give them their baths, but I'm lucky she's there to take over especially if I ran out of time.
4. TRAIN
The owners are the first and foremost trainer of their pets. Not every dog or cat actually needs formal training. You just have to tell them what not do and what to do by your actions and the tone of your voice. Dogs do not understand language, they listen to familiar tone and speech. Most importantly, you have to be consistent.
Harvey is a master at patterns. He knows that after dinner, Ate Ne would open the door and he has to go to the garden, do his business before he comes back to the kitchen to sleep. Chivas also learned the trick as well Bruce. It was hard at first. You'd have to reprimand them as if reprimanding a child. You have to show them what to do, lead them to where you want them to go everyday of this particular hour until they get it. You also have to reprimand them if they are showing unruly behavior. Owners not only should be financially and physically capable, they have to exercise extreme patience. Dogs in particular like patterns and learn fast if the owner is consistent and patient. If you don't want additional stress of teaching, then don't get a pet. Assume all pets have their own animal instincts and they can be stubborn if they want to.
5. PLAN AND RESEARCH
Before any major work, planning and research are the activities you'd have to do before getting the pet. Assume that you are highly interested, has the means and has the drive to exert efforts in rearing a pet, you'd still have to research. You can't just get the next cute dog that you see. You have to study if the dog's temperament matches yours. You have to verify if you'll like the dog's characteristics from the physical to the behavioral. As an example, I'm not fond of long haired furry dogs that's why I researched and considered breeds that are less maintenance as far as dog hair is concerned. I also don't like a huge overly physical dog that demands physical stimulation constantly. I'm not an athlete and I don't really like exercise that much so why will I get a dog that requires constant exercise? I like Jack Russell Terriers because they're small, less maintenance and intelligent. I wanted Bruce because he doesn't like exercise that much and we needed a good family guard dog. I don't like dogs that are snobbish. Research will ensure success of a good choice.
The EFFORT you have to render in taking care of a pet is more time consuming and physical. This is where pet owners always falter in my opinion. This is where I had a hard time. I admit there are times, given all the things in life, I may not be there for my dogs. I am mostly at work and when I come home at night I just want to be in my bed, but I trained myself to always check up on each and everyone of them before I sleep no matter how tired I am. Just for 15 minutes at least to bond with them. I admit I don't give them their baths all the time. I do it on a weekend. I walk with them on a weekend. I would've done it better, but at least I make sure even on short free times I have I give it to them. And just like any pet that you own, they give back love and fun unconditionally.
Sure you have the interest and disposable money, but unless you have a someone devoted to physically rear your pet, you would have to do the nasty legwork yourself. If money is not really a limitation, here are the things you still need to consider.
1. BONDING TIME
Why did you get a pet in the first place? For fishes, hamsters and birds, the bonding sessions might be limited by aquariums and cages, but for four legged creatures that you usually take along with you, bonding is an essential key for a happy companionship. I've witnessed how these domestic animals depend on whatever you act and say. They need you form them to live in exchange for their lives and unending loyalty. Pets need affection and attention. They need to know that they could trust in you and that they could follow you. Bonding deepens friendship and trust. You need your pet to acknowledge and trust you, so the relationship should be healthy and deep. Spending an hour a day is enough for the bonding process to achieve desired effects.
2. EXERCISE
I'm not the physical person. To put it bluntly I hate exercise. But caring for three dogs, made me move around. Just like any human, you don't want them to be obese and weak. Exercise strengthens their immune system, makes them more attuned with nature and be more physically fit and agile. Without exercise, your pets may get bored and tend to be restless. Exercise will not only calm your pet and make them healthy, but it will also help the human, lazy humans in particular, to at least move around. Join marathons and club meets to vary physical activities.
3. CLEAN UP
Pets live in the moment. They don't really care if they can't hold their shit...literally. They'd go anywhere more appropriate for them to do their business. Owners should be responsible to look after their pet's wastes. I was guilty of ignoring this basic rule at first. I found it disgusting to take care of their wastes especially if you're not prepared with 'materials.' But maturity sinks in. We have to be grateful for public establishments to accommodate our pets, but we have to maintain that goodwill by cleaning up after them. I think it's also high time to thank my household companion, Ate Ne, who has been in our family for years. Not only did she raise us siblings, but she also accommodate my dogs as well. She treats them as her own. Naturally, I shouldn't be depending on her to give them their baths, but I'm lucky she's there to take over especially if I ran out of time.
4. TRAIN
The owners are the first and foremost trainer of their pets. Not every dog or cat actually needs formal training. You just have to tell them what not do and what to do by your actions and the tone of your voice. Dogs do not understand language, they listen to familiar tone and speech. Most importantly, you have to be consistent.
Harvey is a master at patterns. He knows that after dinner, Ate Ne would open the door and he has to go to the garden, do his business before he comes back to the kitchen to sleep. Chivas also learned the trick as well Bruce. It was hard at first. You'd have to reprimand them as if reprimanding a child. You have to show them what to do, lead them to where you want them to go everyday of this particular hour until they get it. You also have to reprimand them if they are showing unruly behavior. Owners not only should be financially and physically capable, they have to exercise extreme patience. Dogs in particular like patterns and learn fast if the owner is consistent and patient. If you don't want additional stress of teaching, then don't get a pet. Assume all pets have their own animal instincts and they can be stubborn if they want to.
5. PLAN AND RESEARCH
Before any major work, planning and research are the activities you'd have to do before getting the pet. Assume that you are highly interested, has the means and has the drive to exert efforts in rearing a pet, you'd still have to research. You can't just get the next cute dog that you see. You have to study if the dog's temperament matches yours. You have to verify if you'll like the dog's characteristics from the physical to the behavioral. As an example, I'm not fond of long haired furry dogs that's why I researched and considered breeds that are less maintenance as far as dog hair is concerned. I also don't like a huge overly physical dog that demands physical stimulation constantly. I'm not an athlete and I don't really like exercise that much so why will I get a dog that requires constant exercise? I like Jack Russell Terriers because they're small, less maintenance and intelligent. I wanted Bruce because he doesn't like exercise that much and we needed a good family guard dog. I don't like dogs that are snobbish. Research will ensure success of a good choice.
___
The EFFORT you have to render in taking care of a pet is more time consuming and physical. This is where pet owners always falter in my opinion. This is where I had a hard time. I admit there are times, given all the things in life, I may not be there for my dogs. I am mostly at work and when I come home at night I just want to be in my bed, but I trained myself to always check up on each and everyone of them before I sleep no matter how tired I am. Just for 15 minutes at least to bond with them. I admit I don't give them their baths all the time. I do it on a weekend. I walk with them on a weekend. I would've done it better, but at least I make sure even on short free times I have I give it to them. And just like any pet that you own, they give back love and fun unconditionally.
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