There Are So Many Things To Consider. Questions To Answer.

As of late, I've been seeing a lot of posts from new dog parents expressing frustrations. They're on the verge of giving up.  I've also stumbled on quite a few desperate pleas from dog parents who are trying to re-home their dog. They no longer have time for "the dog." They're moving and can't take "the dog." They weren't expecting "the dog" to cost so much. They're expecting a baby and don't want to deal with "the dog." The relationship or marriage didn't work out and neither person wants "the dog." I see stuff like this all the time, but I think Willa is the reason for my as-of-late heightened awareness and sensitivity.

I can't say too much about Willa's previous situation due to confidentiality. What I can say is she was purchased from a breeder as a puppy. Over a year later, when the couple broke up, she was no longer wanted. That's when we stepped in and adopted her.

Although she's a wonderful addition to our family, an active playmate for Lobo, and we absolutely love and adore her, I can't help but feel a little sad for her.

It must have been scary for her the day Lisa went to pick her up. She had no idea what was going on. Willa had lived in her previous home for over a year. Regardless of the situation, that was her home. Her routine. Her family.

When she arrived here, she had no idea what was going on. New family. New siblings. New home. New smells. New sounds.

Willa was, and still is, very clingy. She loves to snuggle and will fall asleep in my arms, against my chest, before moving to my lap or beside of me on the sofa.

I often wonder what she's thinking. How she feels. Does she know this is her fur-ever home? How will she react when she takes her first car ride on Monday? Will she think she's being taken to another home? Will she be afraid?

Yes, I think about all of this and than some...

I do my best not to judge the pet parents who throw in the towel for whatever reason. Judging them doesn't solve the problem. And, in most situations, "the dog" is better off being re-homed. I've witnessed too many situations where a dog, or other pet, was unwanted, but still residing in the home. The pup wasn't fed regularly, money wasn't spent on medical care, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes wasn't a concern, and they were confined to a crate or room with the door shut.

That's not to say I don't get angry and sad. I do. However, those emotions surface because these people don't think it through before they adopt or buy a dog.

There are lots of things to consider before getting a dog or other pet. It shouldn't be a decision made lightly or on a whim. Dogs are not novelty items. They live for many years and they're completely dependent on you for everything. Food. Water. Love. Safety. Medical. Comfort.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. 

You also have to consider your current and future living situation, financial status, future plans, etc. And, you need to ask yourself some tough questions and answer honestly.

If you adopt or buy a dog while in a relationship with someone, what happens if the relationship ends?

If you're single and that changes 3 years down the road, what happens then? What if that person hates dogs or has an allergy?

What if you get married and decide to have children?

What if your fur-kid gets sick and requires surgery and recovery time? What happens if that impedes on plans you might have made?

What if your fur-kid has some less than desirable behaviors that need to be addressed? What if they chew up your favorite pair of dress shoes?

Do you have plans on moving? If so, will you be able to take your fur-kid with you?

Will you always have time to spend with your fur-kid despite career changes, your current job, school, social time with your friends?

Who will take care of your fur-kid if you travel for work or recreation?

Again, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Life changes when you have fur-kids. The more you have, the more your life changes. Trust me, I know. We have 4 rescue pups and a rescue Guinea pig. It's not easy. Life gets crazy.

For us, it's worth it and we wouldn't change a thing.

There are so many things to consider. Questions to answer. Research to do. The "what ifs" to ask yourself.

I wish more people did this before adopting or buying a dog or other pet.

I wish more people realized that re-homing a dog or other pet is traumatic.

Ripping your fur-kid from their home and family takes a toll on them.

It effects them in more ways than you could possibly imagine.

Exhale.