How often do you let loose and really play with your dog? Most of us don’t play with our dogs as much as we would like – life is just too busy. We can manage a couple of walks a day and some attention whenever our canine kids come looking for it, but finding the time for romping on the lawn is tricky.
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The first part of our buying vs. adopting a pet series looked at buying. In this part we look at rescuing pets.
People who adopt usually do so because they believe it’s the right thing to do. After all, you can give an abandoned, neglected or abused animal a second (third or fourth) shot at a happy home.
Once you’ve decided to get a pet, the biggest question is whether you’re going to buy or adopt. Almost everyone in animal welfare will tell you that adopting is by far the better option. But is it really right for you? We look the differences between buying pets and adopting pets, including the pros and cons of each, so that you can make an informed decision. We’re going to approach it in two parts, starting with buying.
Pet doors have their pros and cons. In addition to their self-service convenience, it can also be argued that they have the potential to be life saving. Consider this: You go away for the weekend and entrust your pets to a friend who comes over twice a day to feed them and take them for a walk. Your friend locks up for the night with your pets snug inside and goes home when a fire breaks out. The sitter has no idea. Your pets have no escape.
“Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on – it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one – and here he lies.”
Inscription on the monument to Lord Byron’s dog, Boatswain, at Newstead Abbey.
Most pet parents know that visiting the vet involves an epic struggle with a reluctant dog or cat. Pets have a kind of sixth sense when it comes to visiting the vet. They always seem know when one is coming, no matter how stealthy or cunning you think you’ve been.
It’s easy to forget that your pet also has to cope with a new addition to the family when you bring baby home. Your house fills with different sounds, sights, smells and routines, and pooch has to adjust as much as you.
(Guest post by a concerned bunny mom) I will admit that I was irresponsible when I brought my baby pet rabbit home from the pet shop. I had no idea what raising a baby rabbit entailed. I had no idea about proper feeding, health, housing or care. I got no help from the pet shop and I naively thought that it couldn’t possibly be that difficult.
There are two problems with service dogs: They look very dignified, and we are touched by their dedication and loyalty. Why are these problems, you may ask? Well, When you combine the two, you get a dog who is almost impossible for the general public to resist. When we meet a service dog, we want to reward their heroism with a friendly pat or a treat. And we want to tell the handler that we admire their strength.
The pet industry is growing in leaps and bounds, but some areas are growing faster than others. Pet nutrition, for example, is booming. More scientists are researching the best diets for breeds, sizes, and life stages. Naturally, studies into pet supplements are also more common.
