Before You Plan On Retiring With A Pet, Think Carefully First!

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignleft" width="300"] Retiring With A Pet[/caption]

Two of my favorite pets were bunnies.  One white for my daughter and the other one black for me.  I took special care of them everyday and then they had babies. Lots and lots of babies! That was a sad experience! It's hard to tell a bunny's sex so we thought that we had two boys.  Needless to say we woke one morning to babies bunnies everywhere just barely breathing.  We got on the Internet and learned how to keep them warm and revive them, but it was too late.  One by one each baby bunny died.

That experience brings to mind other eventful experiences with pets.  Such as taking the word of the person selling dogs that the animal we wanted had the qualities we were looking for such as a pet that doesn't shed, when in reality it sheds as a part of the breed it was.  I also think about my mother and my husband's mother both receiving dogs as presents after their husbands died.  Both women kept their dogs and experienced great inconvenience and resentment of their pets. Neither women knew anything about the breed of dogs they had which made their experience worse.

Having a pet doesn't have to be a nightmare and it shouldn't!  If we think about being responsible pet owners before we even get a pet, then in most cases pet ownership will be a blessing and not a curse! If you don't already have a pet and are thinking about getting one I have some important tips for you to think about first.  Many social service agencies advice that retiring with a pet is important to inner well-being and good health, but this isn't always the case.  It can also cause you great inconvenience, especially if you live in an apartment or are in poor health.

 

Using Wisdom When Retiring With A Pet

If you don't already have a pet and you're thinking of getting one, read my list below which gives advice for retiring with a pet dog or cat.  It will help you get past your emotions to a place of wisdom.

1.   Never walk into a pet store vulnerable to puppies and kittens. My husband and I did this for our last dog.  We got the most adorable puppy!  I can still see him sitting in the corner of his kennel while all the other puppies were playing and biting his tail.  He looked as if he needed a rescue, but when I held him in my arms that was it!  He was mine!  I didn't even ask what breed he was.  How stupid is that!  This is called purchasing a pet on 100% emotion.

[caption id="attachment_156" align="alignright" width="168"] My Dog Sammy[/caption]

I still have Sammy and love him, but if I had known about the Maltese breed, I wouldn't have purchased him.  His hair kept growing and never stopped. I soon realized that he needed regular grooming--which can be expensive.  We could afford it, but I'd rather spend that money on a child or someone in need rather than a grooming session for a pet.  I don't spend that kind of money on myself or my husband for grooming--we take care of ourselves.  However, we've learned how to deal with the problem.  We decided that spending money on a local groomer once every few months helps to support local business.  His groomer keeps his hair short so that in between grooming visits we bathe him and take care of minor grooming needs.

There are worse stories about buying pets on emotion, but I won't get into them. This type of purchase can only go badly for the pet. If this happens to you, please find a way to get a good home for your pet.  We have a chain of stores here called Pet Smart and every Tuesday they have a rescue and adoption program.  When adopting a pet they insure that they will find a good owner and appropriate home for the dog.  There are also rescue shelters.

2.   This tip is very simple.  If you're thinking about getting a pet go on the Internet and look up the different breeds of animals you'd like for a pet. Take into consideration where you'll be living in the future.   If you're staying with someone you have to get their permission as well for the pet.  Match the breed of the animal to your living conditions, your health and your financial ability to care for it properly.

3.   Once you decide on a specific breed of animal or a few breeds, look up their information to find out about temperament, care and expense.  If you still want a pet, you can make an educated and wise decision based upon what's best for your living conditions.

4.   Retiring with a pet isn't always easy.  Again, match your dog to where you live.  With apartments you have to walk dogs throughout the day and make sure to clean up after them.  With a home you'll have to clean up the yard and protect your pet against poison plants, dangerous tools, holes in fences and more.  If you decide upon retiring with a pet such as a cat, you won't have to take it out, but you'll have to insure that it doesn't damage your home or apartment. You'll need to purchase kitty litter and scratching posts.

5.    Decide how much money you want to pay for a pet. Do you want a full-breed pet or a mixed breed pet? Free pets usually grow into adulthood differently than what the owner claims. See the parents of the animals first.

6.    Decide if you wish to purchase a baby or a full-growth pet.  For dogs I advise a puppy if you have the time to potty-train.  Kittens are easy to train with a litter box.

7.    If you're currently in poor health, wait to get a pet until you're feeling better unless you have someone willing to care for it 24/7 while you heal.

8.    Make sure that you'll have appropriate space for your pet and all the equipment you'll need such as crates or kennels, beds, grooming equipment and so forth.

9.    If you get a dog and don't know how to train it, find a place such as your local pet shelter or dog rescue.   Large pet stores also offer this service.

10.  Only purchase your dog from a reputable dog breeder.  When you purchase from a pet store you run the risk of getting a dog in poor health or that has been inbred. The same goes for private owners

11.   Be prepared to purchase food that will keep your pet in good health.  However, you don't need to go overboard. But make sure you can properly take care of your pet!

12.  Purchase pet insurance if you have little money for pet health.  It can be devastating to lose a pet because you don't have money for health problems.  Also your local humane society offers inexpensive and quality pet health care.

13.   Retiring with a pet may not be what you really want.  So before you purchase a pet, dog or cat sit for someone else's pet first and see if it will fit in with your new phase of life.

 

Retiring With A Pet May Not Be For You!

[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignleft" width="150"] Try The Cold Blooded Kind![/caption]

Retiring with a pet can be a big responsibility so take your time and do your homework in order to make a wise choice for yourself and a considerate choice for your pet. There's no need to rush into making such an important decision that can affect the quality of your life.   If it's not feasible to get a soft and furry pet, you can always get a cold-blooded pet, a fine feathered friend or a hamster.  Or maybe a pet isn't for you.  You may instead decide to do something else to take up your time such as creating a garden, collecting different species of bugs, photography or any other activity you can enjoy.

 

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