I’ve owned many a pet growing up. From the first love of my life, a massive Rottweiler called Saxon who would protect me at all costs when I was learning to walk, to a budget called Rocky who lived for far longer than he should have done and was a wise old bird. Then we had a couple of cats who, to be honest, were not my favourite but overall, I’ve loved having animals throughout my life and it’s amazing how they really do become a huge part of the family. But the apple of my eye was Saxon. The huge Rottweiler who was like my older brother. But if you’re thinking about getting a dog, there are some secrets that you need to know beforehand. Here are some truths about owning a pet.
Love Hate
Having a pet is a love-hate relationship. You’ll love that you have a friend to come home too, that you can snuggle up on the sofa with them and that it feels like no matter what you do, they’ll always love you. This is all true and it’s one of the best parts of having a pet. I remember Saxon always being there to greet us at the front door when we came home from shopping and sleeping next to my bed in the morning. But then there are the times when you’ll hate them. For example, when they eat something they shouldn’t. Such as your socks, the remote or the sofa! You’ll be so mad but you know they didn’t mean to make you angry. But the mess you’re left with is a LOT! That’s the kind of love-hate I’m talking about.
Family Portrait
When I say that your pet becomes part of the family portrait I’m not joking. Be prepared to have them in all your family pictures because they really are part of your home set up. But there’s more to it than that! Be prepared to even give them their own Instagram page and of course, get them a pet illustration which you share with the world. Do you even have a pet these days if they’re not Instagram famous and have more followers than you? Exactly! By the way, if you’re looking for a great pet illustration you can head to vectorpets.com – there’s something so amazing about your pet that you need the world to see it. Whether that’s by sharing real-life pictures of it, having pictures made of it or just by sharing your animal’s life on social media. It’s just like being a parent who thinks their child is the best child in the world. Because they are….obviously. Haha!
Money, Money, Money
One real truth that you need to know is how expensive animals are. From pet food and vet bills, to supplements like Nutra Thrive by Ultimate Pet Nutrition to help support your pet’s health. Combined, they really can take a toll on the purse strings. So be prepared for this. Take out insurance, look after them well (obviously) but maybe consider if you can afford it before you actually get one. You’ve got all of these expenses before you even start thinking about their toys or beds that you’ll just have an urge to buy them because you love them so much! Dog food can be pricey, but getting them great quality food that they love is a must. There’s nothing like a good meal to keep your dog super happy!
Home Alone
If you have a dog as I did, there’s no way anyone would come within 6 feet of the house once he started barking. The funny thing was, Saxon was a really kind-hearted dog. His bark was bigger than his bite. He was very protective, I mean if anyone did attempt to steal me from the front garden I’m pretty sure he would have ripped their arm off, but thankfully it never came to that. But one big thing you do have to think about when you have a pet is how long they’re left alone for.
Lot’s of animals need to go to the toilet outside and need exercise just as we do. Lot’s of animals can’t just live in small cages and live off of seeds for a few weeks. So you need to think about how long they’ll be alone when you’re at work, you’ll have to get pet sitters if you go on holiday and you’ll have to have someone nearby for emergencies. There’s a lot of responsibility when it comes to having a pet. This all needs to be taken into account. The bigger the animal, the more care they might need too. A hamster is pretty easy to look after and most people won’t mind pet sitting for something so small and somewhat effortless. But compare that to a Rottweiler and it’s a whole other ball game. From needed to go for a long walk several times a day to needing the space for it to just be comfortable inside a house.
Having a pet can be a wonderful addition to any family and can really have so many benefits to it. Did you know that stroking a cat is supposed to reduce stress? Amazing huh? But before you jump in and become Dr Dolittle, do your research and make sure you can give your pet the home and life it deserves. Not just now, but forever!
