Should I get a dog?
In every office I've ever worked, I've been asked this question. I don't find it surprising since I set myself up as the resident shopper/dog person. Its an odd combination but it fits well. But, since this post concerns dogs, we'll stick to those conversations.
I can easily answer questions about acupuncture, vets, dog trainers, dog whisperers, etc... But the should-I-get-a-dog question is always my most difficult. If you're even asking, you maybe shouldn't. But, if you're asking 'cause you've never had one, here's how I handle the conversation.
Are you ready to spend your last dollar taking care of the dog?
Are you ready to be awakened in the middle of the night to use the little dog's room?
And, my most recent question, are you ready to be awakened at 1am by your 9 year old hound, her had spinning around, vomiting everywhere? Are you ready to clean that up, do a load of laundry and then cook for her for the next few days? Not that I spent my Friday night doing that...nope, not at all...just a random example. Yeah, random.
I don't talk about the love, affection and wonder that comes from having a dog. Everyone knows about that. I talk about the vet visits, the surgeries, the food, the clean up, and the cash. Anyone can adopt a dog from the pound or buy one from a breeder. Not everyone is prepared for the commitment. And that's ok. If you're not ready, there's nothing wrong with that. But, nothing upsets me more than someone who gets a dog and then gets rid of them when they're too much work or money. But, that's a personal issue.
In my opinion, my dogs are a gift. I adore them and I wouldn't give one dollar spent back. (Though, if you want to give me the money back, I wouldn't object.) Hell, I still call Hanna my BMW 'cause when she got sick I was playing with the idea of getting a 3 series. But, after all her bills, I was still driving her in my Honda and somehow $10k in vet bills (thanks to contributions for different parties) got paid.
Yeah, she was an extreme case but talk to any pet owner and they'll tell you stories of late night emergency room visits, surgeries, dialysis and biopsies. And, every one of those people will laugh about it and not once regret the money spent.
I can easily answer questions about acupuncture, vets, dog trainers, dog whisperers, etc... But the should-I-get-a-dog question is always my most difficult. If you're even asking, you maybe shouldn't. But, if you're asking 'cause you've never had one, here's how I handle the conversation.
Are you ready to spend your last dollar taking care of the dog?
Are you ready to be awakened in the middle of the night to use the little dog's room?
And, my most recent question, are you ready to be awakened at 1am by your 9 year old hound, her had spinning around, vomiting everywhere? Are you ready to clean that up, do a load of laundry and then cook for her for the next few days? Not that I spent my Friday night doing that...nope, not at all...just a random example. Yeah, random.
I don't talk about the love, affection and wonder that comes from having a dog. Everyone knows about that. I talk about the vet visits, the surgeries, the food, the clean up, and the cash. Anyone can adopt a dog from the pound or buy one from a breeder. Not everyone is prepared for the commitment. And that's ok. If you're not ready, there's nothing wrong with that. But, nothing upsets me more than someone who gets a dog and then gets rid of them when they're too much work or money. But, that's a personal issue.
In my opinion, my dogs are a gift. I adore them and I wouldn't give one dollar spent back. (Though, if you want to give me the money back, I wouldn't object.) Hell, I still call Hanna my BMW 'cause when she got sick I was playing with the idea of getting a 3 series. But, after all her bills, I was still driving her in my Honda and somehow $10k in vet bills (thanks to contributions for different parties) got paid.
Yeah, she was an extreme case but talk to any pet owner and they'll tell you stories of late night emergency room visits, surgeries, dialysis and biopsies. And, every one of those people will laugh about it and not once regret the money spent.
Labels: random ramblings
posted by jenna! at
6:00 PM
1 Comments:
I wrote a post last year about how much we'd spent on Jake, here:
http://brighterschemata.blogspot.com/2006/07/million-dollar-doggie.html
I always tell people they should foster a dog from a rescue first, it's kinda like rent-to-own. Then they can adopt it if they want, or even if they give it back then at least they've helped the dog for that short time. And if they do get a dog, to It will pay for itself the first time Fido needs an x-ray.
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