Before You Keep a Pet: An Evaluation

          Well, we can’t deny the fact that keeping a pet is a truly rewarding experience. Since from the dates that history can provide, they have served the humankind in enumerable ways. But first, what does the term pet means? Well in my own point of view, it means an animal that we care for as much as we care for ourselves and the other people around us. They are one symbol of our humanity and our likeness to care and to be taken care of. They are our companion on which we find abounding and unconditional love and respect. So it is as much important to have the guidelines and considerations to take note before we keep them in our humble home. As we know that they are lifetime commitments.

Here are few questions that we need to ask ourselves:

Am I ready to keep a pet?

It's just like saying; do i have the confidence to give comfort to a companion? If so, then you must weigh the impact that will arise if you chose to take care of them. Let us not make haste and keep pets upon impulse. It would only end up to an illicit situation where neglect reigns. We wouldn't want our companion pets to serve only as obligations and then ending up not being taken care of properly.

Do I have the time?

          Time is really of the essence whichever way we look at it. When we want to establish a long and lasting bond with our animal companions, it's a must that we devote a quality time with them and let them feel that they are loved. Be it a time where we take them out on the yard for a walk, a simple conversation (yes we can converse with them and they listen to us not by words but with affection) or a tap or a hug to show them that they are valued. Also through routine activities like giving them a bowl of food or going for vet check-ups, these counts as a bonding moment for you and your pet.

          If you're in control of your time, it wouldn’t hurt if we take care of a dog or cat. If you are on the busy side choose a pet which have more independence and requires lesser attention like hamsters for instance. But of course this doesn't mean that we have the excuse of ignoring them which some people often do. Remember that constant mingling and interaction with your pet will establish a good, solid and respectful relationship.

Do I have the necessary resources?

          You must have the means of supporting your companion pet. Keeping a pet is just like rearing a child. They have their needs that we must address and support as pet parents. Say for example their daily nutrition or their vet schedules. In order for them to stay healthy and live longer we must prioritize their basic necessities. Let us try to consider that once we take them in, we are inviting them as part of our family circle. Hence, all members of our family should receive adequate, appropriate and quality support.

What do I know about them?

          Why don't we take a little time to read or research about the pet we are aiming to foster and provide? We must have an ample knowledge or at least a simple know-how to help us better understands their subsequent behavior and characteristics. It gives us the opportunity to know them better and appreciate them better. When we do this we are giving ourselves a favor. Think about this, how we help our animal companion is merely dependent onto the extent of our knowledge about their kind.

          What we are trying to point out here is our capacity and ability to provide time effort and most of all love to our supposed to be companions. I'm sure once we have a very strong foundation and rapport with our pets; the rewards are off-the-charts. It would be a healthy and unconditional respect and love from our furry friends.

Joel Francis is a well driven writer and a pet care educator. For relevant information visit http://petlifearchives.blogspot.com/