avatarAshley Nicole
# Summary

The author discusses their hesitation to have pets due to concerns about the emotional toll of a pet's eventual death, the time commitment required for proper pet care, and the high cost of pet ownership.

# Abstract

The article titled "3 Reasons why I Don’t Have Pets" delves into the author's personal thoughts and reasons for not owning pets, despite their love for animals. The author reflects on the fear of a pet's death, acknowledging the joy pets bring but also the sorrow that comes with loss. Time is another factor, as the author questions their ability to dedicate enough time to fulfill all the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, such as daily walks, feeding, grooming, and veterinary visits. The author also admits to a quirk about not liking the smell of dogs, which would require frequent bathing if they were to own one. Lastly, the high cost of pet ownership is highlighted, with the author citing a CNBC article that reveals most pet owners underestimate the expenses, which can range from $27,074 to $42,545 over a dog's lifetime. Additional concerns include the dislike of dog hair in the house, leading to a preference for non-shedding breeds. The article concludes with the author inviting readers to share their thoughts and experiences regarding pet ownership.

# Opinions

- The author has a strong emotional attachment to the idea of pets and expresses concern about the emotional impact of losing a pet.
- There is a recognition of the joy and companionship that pets can provide, but it is tempered by practical considerations.
- The author values cleanliness and hygiene, particularly when it comes to the smell and hair of dogs, indicating a preference for a pet that does not shed and requires frequent grooming.
- The author is financially conscious and is deterred by the unexpectedly high costs associated with pet ownership.
- Despite the hesitations, the author remains open to the possibility of pet ownership in the future, suggesting that the decision is not final.
- The author seeks engagement and shared experiences from readers about their own decisions regarding pet ownership.

3 Reasons why I Don’t Have Pets

But please read before you hate me for it.

Photo by Bruce Galpin on Unsplash

I already know what you’re thinking.

What is wrong with this girl?! No pets?!

I love dogs, although I am not a cat person. I grew up with pets and pretty much everyone I know has pets from dogs to cats to pigs, cows, horses, and even reptiles like snakes!

These days it is taboo to not have pets. Luke and I will watch TV, movies, YouTube videos, and literally, EVERYONE seems to have a pet or multiple pets. Sometimes it really makes me want to get a dog. They are so cute, loving, loyal, and bring joy to your life. However, there are always these hesitations that keep popping back up in my mind when I contemplate if I REALLY want a pet.

Fear

The fear of my pet dying one day, after it being part of our family and loving it for years, is something that weighs heavily on Luke and I’s decision to not have a pet. I know the death of a pet is inevitable, and it happens to people every day, but it doesn’t make it any less sad. I also know we should focus on the joy it would bring to our lives for all the years we had him/her, but we can’t help but think about the feeling of loss.

Anyone else ever think of and worry about this as well?

Time

When deciding whether to get a pet or not, you have to be honest with yourself.

  • Do you have the time to truly give when it comes to all the responsibilities that come with having a pet (a dog in our case)?
  • Will you be home enough to spend time with the dog
  • Take it on daily walks
  • Feed it
  • Play with it
  • Bathe it
  • Brush it
  • Take it to the vet

I have always had this weird quirk where I dislike when a dog smells bad. I know they are dogs and will get dirty and smelly, but my dog would need to be bathed all the time and sprayed constantly to keep it smelling nice. I would need to factor in extra time for very frequent bathing.

Cost

Have you ever factored in how much it would cost to have this pet? I had no idea, so I did what we all do.

I Googled it.

According to this CNBC article, 98% of pet owners underestimated how much it would cost to own a pet. The cost of owning a dog over its lifetime, calculated by PDSA, falls between $27,074 to $42,545! A cat was calculated a bit lower but still more expensive than owners thought. Sheesh! That’s pretty expensive.

Additional Thoughts:

I have a little pet (no pun intended) peeve when it comes to dogs. I don’t like dog hair in my house. If I were to get a dog, it would need to be one that doesn’t shed because pet hair all over my clothes, furniture, and in the air is something I just cannot do.

Final Thoughts: These are all things that go through my mind when I think about if I truly want a dog. Fear, time, and cost are the big three categories that factor into my decision, but maybe one day. Never say never.

Do you have a pet? If so, did you have any of these same concerns? If you don’t, what is stopping you?

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts of the day! You are always appreciated.

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Pets
Dogs
Writing
Life
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