Photo: Renee Leblanc
Two years ago, we decided we were ready to introduce a puppy into our family. Austin, our eldest, had been asking for a dog since he started talking (his first word was ?doggy?) and we had promised him we would get one around his seventh birthday. We wanted to wait until he was old enough to really help out. Fast-forward to now and we can?t even imagine life without our Goldendoodle, Daisy. She has brought so much joy to our family and has helped to teach our kids about responsibility.
Getting a family dog is a big decision. If you?re thinking about getting one, you?ll want to weigh out the pros and cons before welcoming a new furry friend into your household.
Consider asking yourself these three questions:
1. Is a dog something your family can take on right now" Ask yourself if getting a dog is something everyone is ready for. Has everyone in the family been tested for allergies" Are you financially prepared for this investment" There is a lot that goes into taking care of their health. Dogs need to be spayed or neutered, they need vaccines, deworming?and the list goes on. Your dog?s health is important, so be sure to speak to your vet about the costs involved and what you need to do in order to protect your potential new family member from parasites such as ticks, fleas, intestinal worms and heartworm. You can also visit ParasitePolice.ca to learn more about these dangerous pests and others that you’ll need to protect against.
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