Vet Anne Fawcett: Choose a pet that matches your lifestyle

VET Anne Fawcett says it’s one thing for someone to say “I would love a puppy” and quite another for that person to make room in their life for a puppy.

Puppies are cute but when grow up and have a range of different needs. Picture: David Caird

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IT IS A peculiar quirk of human behaviour that we make statements like, “I want that dog so much”, even when right now we’re not ready to meet the needs of another species.

So learnt one of our clients last week when he lovingly purchased a puppy for his partner.

She may have wanted a puppy, but the breed and size of the dog was not suited to her at all.

Vet Anne Fawcett with her dog Phil. Picture: Craig Wilson

The vendor would not take the dog back, leaving the couple in the difficult position of needing to rehome the dog. Everyone involved felt terrible, and the puppy was confused.

A puppy is a creature with a full life ahead of it and, to ensure that’s a good life, we need to plan. What breed and size most suits my lifestyle?

Are you ready to look after a dog as it grows up? Picture: Hels Orr

Can I invest time in obedience and training? Who will care for my puppy when I travel? Can I afford routine care, food and veterinary fees?

The person who will be caring for the puppy should choose that puppy. Otherwise that person may not bond with the animal. Think about it: we would never give someone a “surprise” baby.

Dr Anne Fawcett is a lecturer in veterinary science at the University of Sydney and a vet at Sydney Animal Hospitals Inner West.

Read her blog:smallanimaltalk.com

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