When I was growing up, we were not allowed to have a dog, so I had a budgie. “Happy”, as we called our blue-breasted bird, loved to fly around my room, sit on my books when I did my homework and peck at her mirror. She was a great pet, but she was not a dog.
So when my own kids asked me for a puppy, how could I say no?
We chose a mixed breed, medium-sized dog and named her Kelsey. She was our family pet for 18 years and an integral part of our family, growing up alongside our kids, yet she was very much a dog. She ate dog food and table scraps and she was not allowed on the furniture or in the bedrooms. She came on camping trips with the family, went canoeing and even joined us on a road trip to Montreal to visit my parents.
When Kelsey passed away, we missed her profusely but knew that she could not be replaced. After a year or two, however, we were ready to welcome another dog into our home. This time we opted for a smaller breed and found Chester, a mix between a Westie and a Shih Tzu. I fell in love with this small, white, affectionate pup! Now that the kids had grown up, Chester was our baby! Of course we felt that he might be lonely when we went out, so a year later we adopted another doggie because, naturally, Chester needed a brother. Now we have Chester and Bruno, or “the boys” as we affectionately call them.
Unlike Kelsey, who had so many restrictions around the house, these guys nap on the couch, sleep in our bedroom, eat the finest dog food, often homemade, and have their own pillows in the back of the car. They’re livin’ the life!
So what’s the moral of the story?
Having a pet isn’t for everybody. It is a huge responsibility and expense. Vet bills can be high, boarding is an additional expense every time you go on a trip, grooming costs add up and dog food and treats significantly increase your weekly grocery bill. Dogs shed, they smell, they have the occasional accident indoors, they yap and bark, they beg at the table, they whine, they are desperate for attention and they need to be walked, even in the sleet.
There is a good chance that you will outlive your dog. Losing your pet is a heartbreaking experience and your whole family will grieve.
So, is it worth it? The bonuses outweigh the negatives by a landslide, both physically and mentally. Your pooch will offer unconditional love! Every morning when you greet your pet, it is like he hasn’t seen you for a month and can’t receive or give enough affection. That has to be good for you!
Pet owners get plenty of exercise since we have to walk our dogs, rain or shine. They offer companionship and will often boost our morale, just when we need it the most. It is no wonder that dogs are used in nursing homes and care facilities to bring joy and happiness to the sick and elderly. While it is true that dogs can sometimes be stressful when they bark too vigorously or demand that the stick is thrown for the 100th time, they can also be great stress reducers by keeping us focused on the “here-and-now” and reducing anxiety.
Dogs, and pets in general, provide a great opportunity for children to learn about responsibility, companionship and predictable routine within a family. So the benefits are plentiful!
Oh, gotta run – my dogs are barking by the door and wagging their tails. Time for a walk on this rainy day.
