Should I have a pet?

This is a question anyone who is thinking about getting a pet should be asking themselves. If you have doubts about whether or not you should get one, I consider you many steps ahead of the game.

Often people get pets as an impulsive, emotional decision and this doesn't always work out. All the love in the world will not feed, train or provide medical help for your pet. I am talking about time and money, both very necessary for raising a pet of any kind.

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I employed?

This is huge and ask yourself the sub-question, what if I become unemployed?

Do I have time for a pet? 

There are several pets that don't require much from you time wise but they all require some so think about it when you consider them.

Who wants this pet?

Is it you? your kids? your partner? If its you and you are the primary caretaker, great. If it is anyone else make sure it is clear who will be caring for this pet. Kids, generally speaking do not make great caretakers. (Rule of thumb, if you require a caretaker, maybe you should not be the primary person responsible for the care of something else look at all the ads for the pocket pets on www.petfinder.com and see how many have "kids did not take care of" as reason for getting rid of it.)

Now the positive stuff.

You usually get what you give with pets. If you spend lots of time with your dog training it and exercising with it, you will likely have a great dog and a great human/dog bond. The same is true with pretty much any pet (to different degrees, don't expect your goldfish to get excited to see you but he can look great and healthy when you take care of him.)

Please comment with any questions!