The Dog is Not Just for Christmas, It Has Become a Member of the Family
introduction:
My family runs an animal shelter in Birmingham, England. While we love what we do, we feel that some people need to realize that a pet should be a long-term commitment. Pets should not be seen as just a bit of fun to be discarded when they become inconvenient.
Numerous people arrive at our animal shelter with their pets, primarily dogs, and offer various excuses for why they can no longer care for them. While many of these reasons may be valid, it is clear that others are simply excuses to offload their pets.
the responsibilities of pet ownership
The excuses we hear are varied:
- Recent Divorce: "I have recently separated from my spouse and cannot afford to keep this dog as a pet."
- Behavioral Issues: "The dog has started to nip at my children."
- Destructive Behavior: "The dog is too difficult to handle and is destroying my furniture."
- Housing Restrictions: "We have recently moved into a flat where no animals are allowed."
- Noise Complaints: "The dog barks too much and it annoys the neighbors."
- Compatibility with Other Pets: "Our other animals don't like the dog."
- Health Concerns: "The dog is affecting my health."
- Personal Illness: "I am too sick to look after my dog."
It is not our role to judge these reasons. However, we must then find suitable new homes for the dogs. This is easier said than done, as we need to ensure that the new owners can care for them for the duration of their lives.
We also keep many of the dogs as our pets, especially those that no one else seems to want. One such dog is Cassie. She is full of life and appears to have been ill-treated as a puppy. Half of her left ear is missing, and she seems quite afraid of men.
Cassie requires a significant amount of care and attention. She can be overly energetic at times, which is likely why three people who attempted to re-home her have brought her back. She is not aggressive but tends to jump up at people.
What we did with Cassie, and what we will continue to do, is to give her lots of love and a little bit of training on what is acceptable behavior. It takes time, but she now understands that jumping is not appropriate and that she needs to calm down at times.
Cassie is becoming a wonderful dog to have around the house and now feels like a part of the family for the first time.
With a little more patience, most other dogs can turn out this way. This is why we need more people to take more responsibility and give their pets a chance to settle into their homes and adapt to a new set of rules.
Having animals as pets can be incredibly rewarding, almost as fulfilling as having a child. A dog, however, will rarely talk back to you.
If you are having problems with your pets, you can always call animal shelters for advice and to learn about possible solutions. The people who work there are animal lovers and will help you as much as they can.
If you are unable to continue looking after your pet, the shelter should be able to take them off your hands.
Conclusion:
Pet ownership is a profound and enduring commitment that should be approached with the same seriousness and dedication as any other significant life responsibility. The stories we encounter daily at our Birmingham animal shelter, like that of Cassie, illustrate the transformative power of patience, love, and proper training. Pets are not disposable conveniences; they are sentient beings that require consistent care, understanding, and time to integrate into our lives and homes. The journey with a pet, though occasionally challenging, offers unparalleled rewards and deep bonds that enrich our lives. By embracing the full spectrum of responsibilities that come with pet ownership, we can ensure a harmonious and fulfilling coexistence with our animal companions, fostering a community that values and respects the lives of all creatures.
**Keywords**: Pet ownership, dog training, animal shelter, responsible pet care, re-homing pets, long-term commitment, animal welfare, pet behavior, family pets.
