For the entire two weeks, I was going through the agony of ‘to keep or not to keep,’ especially because.  there was a special bond between us. I needed to make sure that I thought through all of the particularities of owning a dog forever. Aside from the time issue, the financial side is something to thoughtfully consider. It can be a lot! From monthly worm/flea & tick preventatives and food/treats to monthly pet healthcare and other dog essentials, to those inevitable dog issues or medical emergencies. There’s also the issue of having a support system – people to help me take care of Benji when need be (family, significant other, reliable/dog-friendly friends)? This isn’t just during vacations or weekend trips, but thinking through unforeseen circumstances like health matters or job obligations; it’s also just day-to-day: people to emotionally and physically support me during the everyday stresses of owning a dog. It’s important to have a reliable, meaningful support system in your life in general, but this need is heightened when having a dog.

I’ve also read/heard that you should hire a dog walker if you are going to leave a pup alone consistently for more than 5-6 hours a day. The time issue with dogs also involves the time you spend with your pup – consistent exercise, playtime with other dogs, quality time with the pup, etc… You also need to consider whether you will be able to work through possible behavioral issues. Dogs go through a number of different developmental stages, and with those stages can sometimes come hiccups. Will you be able to work through these issues – be it spending one-on-one time training, hiring a trainer, or other avenues people take when addressing a behavioral issue with their pups.