by Audrey Frederick

Created on: May 06, 2008

Commitment! Are You Ready?

Spring has come upon us and there seems always to be an urge to either plant a wonderful garden or get a puppy or kitten. I want to smother the "urge" to get a pet, into a thought, tempered with real life consideration.

Now, what do I mean by that?

No one loves kittens or puppies more than I do

Having raised 6 children, our house has been a haven for lost, abandoned and purchased animals.

I can honestly say for the last 10 years, we have given up any idea of a vacation, due to the special needs of two of our cats.

Now, what has that to do with the smothering of the "urge" to get a pet?

It boils down to commitment.

Are you and your family ready to assume the responsibility of raising and caring for the pet?

Let's just digress for a moment and look at what happens to many of the pets given as gifts to children or bought by adults on the spur of the moment.

According to studies made by the National Council on Pet Population and other groups 56.5 percent of all dogs that are in shelters are euthanized each year.

At least 25 percent of the dogs in shelters or rescue shelters are purebreds.

Many dogs come to shelters unwanted and die unwanted.

Why?

Mainly because their owners did not do enough research when getting a dog in the first place.

Purchasing a dog because it is "cute" is not a good enough reason to get it.

Going to a shelter and picking the saddest most timid dog with the thinking you will give it a happy home, is also a very bad reason. Nine chances out of ten, you will soon take it back to the shelter.

Getting a puppy seems like a simple thing to do. You find a dog you like and take it home and live happily ever after.

Rarely does that happen.

In days gone by that may have been the case, as Mom stayed home to raise the family, people had homes with yards and children weren't distracted by TV, video games or computers.

In those days the dog was a playmate, not a chore to take care of.

Life was slower, people stayed home more and pets were considered part of the entertainment.

Today both parents generally work, the kids are involved in sports or after school activities and the poor dog is lucky it gets out for a quick walk.

The result is a bored dog that gets into all kinds of wonderful mischief, the parents get upset and the kids are mad cause the dog chewed up their prize sneakers.

After this happens, a time or two or three guess what comes next?

Obedience school and some family one on one time?

Nope!

A sad trip to the animal shelter and good-bye dog.

Could

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