Getting a Puppy: The Right Way

Buying a puppy is a huge commitment!

This will be your new best friend for a long time, and you are responsible for giving him/her a good life. This means that you will 1) feed it the right food, 2) nurture it and 3) take it for long walks, even in the middle of a snow storm (especially in snow storms, they love the snow). To better understand the financial burden that comes with pet ownership, I listed some helpful guidelines:

Do not- I repeat- do not buy a puppy from the pet store, backyard breeder, or out of the paper. You will not save money; plus, most of the times you will be buying a sick dog! If you want to find a great dog, at the right price, go to the SPCA. They are located in many communities across the U.S., and the staff has dedicated themselves to the care and well being of abandoned animals. They will help you find the right dog, and answer all of your pet questions. A bonus: you will be saving a life, and that will feel really good!

Buying the dog is the cheap part — then comes the rest! Even though the SPCA gives their dogs shots and microchips before you take them away, you will probably spent an extra couple hundred bucks on new supplies and vet care in the first few days alone. Then figure in about $50-$150 a month for food, supplies, occasional grooming (ex. when he gets hit by a skunk) etc. Note: shop around for bargains in these areas, as there are huge price differences in what different manufacturers charge for their goods.

If the puppy gets sick, take it to a vet as soon as possible. It might not be a life threatening injury but the puppy might be infected (fleas, mites, etc.) have eaten something bad or have gotten hurt around the house, so don’t wait for it “to get better” or tell Fido to “walk it off.” If you do, your puppy might die and you don’t want that, do you? I hope not!

Dogs are not “things.” They are living creatures who, by no choice of their own, are totally dependent upon us for their survival and quality of life. As pack animals, their mental health is dependent upon us being their leader. They need regular, systematic aerobic exercise for at least 20-30 minutes, at least 3-4 times a week, just to be healthy. Dogs might need a lot of attention, but the rewards of owning one are immeasurable.

Remember this: if you can’t be a responsible dog owner, please wait until you can be. I meant it!