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Name:
phyll
Gender:
Female
Age:
58
Living In:
manalapan
Cat, Dog, Guinea pig- what is a good pet after the children leave the house?
Thinking of getting a pet to cope with the loneliness and sudden silence in the house.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
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Name:
lcalvacca
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Age:
54
Living In:
Seaford
RE: Cat, Dog, Guinea pig- what is a good pet after the children leave the house?
No one can tell you what a good pet is for you. You have to really think about it and research research research. Do a google search on how to select a pet. Think about your own circumstances: Are you home enough to have and train a dog, or cat? Do you have the patience and energy? Are you a fussy neatfreak? (animals can be messy)Are you willing to do the work to get the rewards? (Dogs, and even cats are often said to be like young children and need attention and training and repetition....)Do you want something pretty just to look at, like fish? Do you want cuddly interactive pet? A pet in a cage that is less maintenance? Think about the pet's lifespan and whether you can commit to it. (Some parrots live 50 years and dogs average about 13 years.) Do you have room for a large dog? If you choose a dog, read up on its characteristics. Does it needs lots of exercise? What is its reputation for getting along with children? (grandkids, neighbors?)
You didn't say if you've ever had a pet before, but if not, you need to be even more thoughtful about your choice; some people idealize what having a pet will be like and impose certain expectations, which is unfair and leads to disappointment and lots of abandoned animals. Speaking of which, if you do decide to get a dog or cat (or even bird) it's a great idea to adopt rather than pay for an animal; there are so many that need homes and have been waiting for years! (again, lots abandoned because they were inconvenient to the owner or didn't match the furniture!)Having a pet is a commitment that should be taken seriously, no matter what the pet. Be careful that you don't rush into it just because you are lonely and the house is silent. There are other ways to fill that void so make sure you really want an animal just because you really love animals, and then you can't go wrong.
Thursday, January 24, 2008