A dog is for life... not just for Christmas.
I am quite upset today as I have just received an email from someone who wants to give up her dog. The reason for doing so is because she is too busy. Apparently her hectic work schedule means that she can't care for her dog anymore. What ticked me off most was the fact that she actually wanted to sell the dog. I think that it is already quite dreadful that she has decided that she can't keep the dog because she's too busy. But to actually sell the dog in an attempt to make some money out of the poor dog is, in my opinion, unethical!
What I am trying to say is that you should never get a dog on a whim or just because you think you need the companionship or because you think it's cute. Getting a dog is a life-long responsibility. You must know what you're getting yourself into. You must be prepared to spend the next 10-15 years of your life looking after the dog. Your dog depends on you for everything, just like a child. You must provide your dog with clean food and water, shelter, exercise, grooming, companionship, verterinary care and protection! You must be able to afford maintaining a dog. You should never treat your dog like a piece of furniture that you can just get rid off when you're tired dof it!
Your dog is part of your family... (and readers of my blog will know that I put dogs on equal footing as children). Would you get rid of your children because you have a new job that demands a lot more of your time? Would you get rid of your children because they constantly get into things that they shouldn't?
Dogs have feelings too, and they will hurt emotionally as much as humans would if they are neglected. This in turn may result in bad behaviour and/or agression. All because they crave for your attention and affection... Please think carefully before getting yourself or someone else a dog...
A dog is for life, not just for Christmas!
