Pets- ARE YOU READY???

(For those who want a pet)

Seriously though, are you ready?

Yeah yeah, I know. "They're so cute!" and "But we have to, the poor thing doesn't have a home!". I have used these excuses and a lot more while positively begging my parents for a puppy. But as I grew older, I realized why they were hesitating and so should you.

Yolo, what's up guys? I am Rhea Alvin, blogging my opinion on everything interesting under the sun ( and frankly even the moon, I do most of my typing at night). If you liked my blog, subscribe and stay tuned :)

While you read this, pls understand, there is no judgment from my side.
 First things first, why do you want a pet?
Is it one of the following?
"My friend got one!"
"They look cute!"
"I need someone to play with"
"I am bored!"
"I saw them in that store, right down the corner!"
 If it is, I commend you do not get a pet. If your friend got one, just play with his/hers. And if they are being nasty about it, time to find new friends, mate. This applies to the third and fourth reasons as well. And if you think they look cute, just watch more videos on youtube. Cuz believe me when I say that animals need you to like them for more. What if you get bored with it too or they don't look cute to you anymore? And if your reason is the fifth one, you are probably considering an impulse buy. Impulse buys have always been around and we cannot give in to them. As your pet grows older, if it was an impulse buy, you will most probably lose interest in them. Please do not make hasty decisions when getting a pet. You will be ruining their life if you do.

And if it isn't one of the above reasons, think if you can have a pet.
What are the points to ponder?
What breed of animal do you want?
Which works for you and your life schedule?
 Can you afford it?
You will have to check expenses, food, vaccinations if any and much more. You need all that info before you can proceed.
Now...
Think back, when was the last time you kept your word? Perhaps, you had a chore or promised your parents to take out the trash.
Did you complete it at a given time and were you able to take complete responsibility? Or did someone have to remind you to do it or someone else have to do it? 

If you answered yes and no to the first and second questions respectively, you might be ready to have a pet. If not, then you might want to reconsider.

This is a vital factor in convincing your parents to allow a pet in the house because if they have not seen you take full responsibility on your shoulders, they might not believe that you are ready for a pet. You must understand that if anything happens to your pet, you are answerable.  A pet takes a lot of commitment. You cannot play around with time and circumstance as pets are very fragile. For example, you might have to skip out on holidays with the rest of the family to take care of your silent friend. Are you ready to do that or at least pay for the expenses of someone else caring for your pet? Also, since your pet cannot talk and tell you their problems, will you be able to manage spending time with them and trying to figure out different things?

Your parents might not let you have a pet even if you are in control of the situation. Contemplate some other cause. Perchance, your parents are allergic to the kind of pet you want or have had a traumatic experience with them.
For all you know, they might have lost a querida mascota [ 'dear pet' in Spanish ] or maybe a dog bit them in their childhood and they fear it will happen again. Here, you need to put across to them that they do not need to worry about it happening again because you will be there to help them. You really want to make sure your parents are okay before bringing the pet into the house or it will lead to mutual detest between the two. And if it is allergies keeping you and your furball apart, suggest anti-allergy shots or maybe a low shedding animal.

But, if they still do not think you are ready, start small. Ask if you can get a pet fish. Keep its bowl or tank clean and feed it on time. Show them your devoir. Slowly edge upwards. But you do not want to be too quick. Wait for a year after getting your tiny pet or your parents will think you just want a pet cuz you are bored. Still no? Fear not, my jolly friends, there is one more way. You can start babysitting pets or work part-time at an animal rescue shelter. This gives you know-how maturity and is a great thing to add to your resume ( both the one to your parents for a pet and to your actual job resume).

Well, my job here is done and it is time for you to think about whether you can handle a pet. And if you can, well then, let's welcome a new life to yours. Cheers to many years of you with your pet.