Making the decision to have a dog or cat is a big step. As pet owners, most of us treat our pets like our children. If we don’t have children, then for most of us, our pets are our children.

Having a pet is a big responsibility and many people get a dog to see if they can handle the commitment. I know people who get a dog before children to see how they do with that. If you think about it, some pets are around in the house longer than our children.

I don’t think people think about how long of a commitment it is to raise a cat or dog. Some can live 20+ years. That’s sometimes longer than our children stay with us and you are feeding your pet, taking them to the doctor and boarding them when you take a vacation.

Children on the other hand do leave. Not totally but they go off to college, eventually they get married and start their own family. Usually leaving behind the dog that they wanted so much and you are left caring for the pet long after the kids are gone.

So looking back on the idea of a pet to see how you would handle the responsibility of children might make you second-guess that decision right? We love our pets unconditionally and they bring us great companionship. But had we thought about the long-term responsibility we were going to have with a pet, we might have thought twice.

I have grown to love our cats and they are a great comfort to me in this quiet house. Little did I know when my daughter begged and pleaded for a pet that she would not take them when she moved out. She has gone on to college, loves her carefree life, and I am hiring someone to watch them so I can take a vacation.

Before long, your house is quiet and your children are gone. Looking back you can see the separation happening and you don’t realize it. Now, my daughter is off starting her new life, and here I am, glad to have the cats to keep me company.

All our pets desire is food, affection and a warm lap to sit in. Love your pets like you’ve loved your children and they will be there for you when the kids have come and gone. They are all gifts and we can’t keep them forever, but we are lucky enough to have them for a time and that is the true gift.

Now this should make you think long and hard about your decision to get a pet. As long as you realize that getting a pet is just like a child, a lifetime commitment, then you can make the responsible choice for you and your family. Just remember that the pets can last longer then your kids, but the kids will always come home.

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