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Many times I have wondered why some people choose to own animals. Sometimes pets don’t fit into their lifestyle or budget, or they aren’t informed enough to properly care for them. Regardless of the reason, many animals continue to end up in the wrong hands.
If you don’t have time for an animal, don’t get one. I recently heard a story about a dog that fell into the hands of an ignorant pet owner. The overzealous owner had decided on a whim to take home the dog which was listed as free.
There is nothing free about a pet. The initial cost should be the least of your financial concerns. For some reason, people seem to understand this when it comes to automobiles, but not living creatures.
The owner took this large, working-breed dog to his small apartment. Since the owner is busy with his job, the dog is confined to a crate for roughly 18 hours a day, with the exception of brief intervals where it is rushed outside to relieve itself. Crate training can be wonderful for dogs if it’s done correctly. Crates simulate the natural den habitat of wild dogs, which gives domesticated dogs a sense of security. Like many training aids, they are unfortunately used as a substitute for proper training. Leaving any sized dog cooped up in a crate all day is abuse, bottom line.
Whether it’s money, space or anything in between, if you don’t have what your animal needs to be happy and able to exhibit its natural behaviors, you have no business owning it. A past housemate of mine demonstrated this wonderfully.
After purchasing a Flemish Giant rabbit as some sort of “cutesy” joint pet with her boyfriend, she opted to house it in a cage designed for guinea pigs and kept it in the basement. Flemish Giants, being the world’s largest rabbit, can weigh more than a house cat when fully grown. Being concerned about the animal’s well-being, I approached her several times about it. She would say the rabbit was fine, and that they’d be building a hutch soon.
Apparently, building a hutch that was still dangerously small was all she felt they needed to do. They still neglected to ever take her out, clean her hutch or regularly check her food and water. The excuse this time was that she was stressed out because ironically, she had just split up with her boyfriend. Naturally, the relationship rabbit was ignored. She swore to keep a better eye on it and after witnessing that she was not doing so, I silently began to care for the rabbit myself until she decided to give her to an appropriate home.
When it comes down to it, pets are optional. You willingly choose to take over their lives, so it is your responsibility to provide them what they need. Feed your animals before you feed yourself. Clean their litter boxes before you clean your room. Walk your dog before you go to the gym. Having an animal is like having a child — if you don’t feel that sort of commitment, it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities.
