Yes I admit it - I am probably the only human in the United States who has not seen the movie Marley and Me. I did read the book and I loved it - and I could relate to it. I have clear memories of my parents' dog running on the beach and then getting in the car and throwing up from salt water; my shoes and carpet still bear the scars from puppy chewing phases, and Jade (my dog) failed obedience school the first time he went.
Movies like Marley and Me and 101 Dalmatians frequently cause hordes of children to begin begging for a dog, and scores of people to choose the breed they saw in the movie because "it looked adorable." Keep in mind however that the dogs in movies have been trained over years by professionals. Before making the decision to get a dog, here are some questions to consider:
1) Am I financially able to care for a dog?
Dogs can easily live to be 12-14 years old. The ASPCA estimates that at the bare minimum (basic veterinary care, food, and toys), the annual cost of keeping a dog ranges from $420 to $780. This does not include the costs of collars, leashes, spaying/neutering, a crate and dog bed. The annual cost also does not take into account unexpected medical problems - for example my parents had a $3000 bill when Shana (there three year old Coton) spent 4 days at the emergency vet. hospital after being bitten by a rattlesnake.
2) Do I live in an environment that is conducive to having a dog?
When I first got my dog Jade, I lived in an apartment that allowed dogs under 20lbs. Since Jade was a Cavalier (and they average 14lbs.) this was not a problem. However, house training was an absolute nightmare. Since I had no yard, nighttime "excursions" meant getting up at 3am, putting on sweatpants, sweatshirt and shoes, walking Jade down the block to the nearest grassy area, and then standing outside for as long as 15-20 minutes while Jade picked out exactly the right patch of grass. If you have a house with a yard, make sure that the yard is securely enclosed and there is no chance of the dog wiggling his way underneath a fence.
3) Am I prepared to spend time each day playing, training, grooming and exercising my dog?
Even small breeds benefit from at least one walk a day and larger breeds need plenty of time and space to run and play. A lack of exercise is one of the most common causes of destructive behavior.
4) Do I have someone who can care for my dog during the day or when I am away from home?
Dogs hate being alone for long periods of time. If you work long hours, a dog is probably not the right pet for you as he will be alone more often than not. Puppies especially cannot be alone for more than a few hours as they need to be let outside, require socialization, and lots of supervision. You also want to consider what arrangements you can make when you travel. For example if you always spend the holidays with family members who live out of town, can you take the dog with you? Do you have friends who could stay home with the dog?
5) Are you getting a dog solely for your kids?
Kids mean well, but the novelty of caring for a dog can wear off quickly. Realize that as the adult, the daily care and feeding of the dog will rest ultimately with you. You will also need to spend extra time supervising your children as they learn how to play and interact appropriately with the new family member. Also consider that if you have kids, a dog may not fit into your busy lifestyle. Many families get a dog for the kids, but don't really think about how much time is available for the dog. In the article Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Dog, familyeducation.com/dogs/pets/45635.html, the author writes:
"I have a lovely Labrador Retriever who was returned to her breeder by her first purchasers. They bought her because they thought a Lab would be great for their "active family"-but they forgot that their activities (baseball and soccer practice, gymnastics, music lessons, and Mom and Dad's clubs and sports) wouldn't accommodate an active puppy. Fortunately, they realized early that the dog didn't fit in, and their lack of planning has been my good fortune for the past nine years. But many dogs in similar situations end up in shelters, and many of those wind up dead."
Even if you are confident that a dog is right for you, expect the unexpected. I have two friends who recently brought puppies into their house. Both work and both have families with young children. One friend of mine had dogs before, but even she said she had forgotten how much work a puppy is. And her kids were struggling because the puppy is in the "if I can reach it it goes in my mouth stage", and they are upset that the puppy wants to chew on their fingers rather than play fetch with the toy.
My other friend had never had a puppy before. For the first 6 weeks she was battling constant exhaustion because she was up several times a night to let the puppy out, and because the puppy was waking up ready to play much earlier than she is used to. She also cannot believe how much work a puppy is.
Dogs can be wonderful companions and great additions to any family. They can provide comfort, love, happiness, and a reason to get out and go for a walk. However, if you are not prepared for the work a dog brings with it, dogs can also be sources of problems, frustration, and tears. So even though the puppy in the movie may look adorable, keep in mind that Marley may not be for everyone.
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