According to the official website, National Puppy Day "celebrates the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. But more importantly, it's a day to help save orphaned puppies across the globe."National Puppy Day was founded in 2006 by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Behaviorist and Author, Colleen Paige, who is also the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day.
Besides bringing us joy beyond measure, our four-legged family members bring a long-list of responsibilities for anyone choosing to join me in pet parenthood..
So, before you adopt a dog, these are three questions you should ask yourself before bringing a furry-baby into your family:
Do you have the money to properly care for your dog? It breaks my heart when I hear a story of someone loosing a dog because they couldn't afford to microchip them. Or, that they couldn't operate or even keep-up vaccinations because they weren't in the family budget.
Outside of the occasional doggie designer T, pet ownership will be a long term expense. Expenses also change according to the age of your dog.
So, check your finances before you bring a furry baby into your family.
Do you have the time to care for your dog? Only recently I heard a colleague share how she missed having a dog at home to greet her when she came home from work - twelve hours after leaving her home!
Imagine being home alone - for twelve hours?
Unless you are planning on having an outdoor dog, or coming home for lunch to walk your indoor dog, take your dog to work, or hire a dog walker, your dog will be missing his daily exercise! More importantly, dog's need to excuse themselves (or go potty!).
So, before you buy that cute doggy in the window, do you research to find-out how much exercise, and time, your dog needs before you bring him into your family.
Do you have the space for a dog?
It's no secret that I am an urban dweller and love living minutes from the beach and walking distance from my closest Starbucks. But, with that enjoyment also comes the limitation of living in a space much smaller in comparison to my suburban neighbors.
At no-more than 19 lbs (at his heaviest), Chatito is the perfect addition to our family and lives in perfect harmony with our space. But that wouldn't be the case if Chatito was a golden retriever!
Welcome to doggy parenting! If after answering these questions you decide to join me in the funnest parenting job ever, visit the following websites to learn more about dog parenting:
Go here to select a dog breed.
Go here to learn more about your chosen dog breed.
Go here to view an estimated pet care budget.
Go here to learn how to be a responsible dog parent.
Now go out, and snuggle with your closest four-legged furry child!
