Living with a dog is a decision that deserves careful thought and consideration. Anyone who brings a dog home is committing for several years. If the four-legged friend stays healthy, it's easily more than a decade.
I believe there are certain factors you should be aware of when you take on responsibility for a dog's life. And today I want to share these thoughts with you.
Why a Dog?
A great question! There are many reasons, and they're different for everyone. This quote from Heinz Rühmann sums it up for me:
You can live without dogs, it just isn't worth it!
Heinz Rühmann
I think that when you decide to give one or more four-legged friends a home, you're consciously taking on a number of commitments:
- to care for the animal for the rest of its life
- to make sure it stays healthy
- to meet the animal's needs as best you can
- to live with the animal in a way that causes no harm to society
These points apply all year round — for an entire dog's life!
There are no days when I can say: "Murphy! Archie! Today I don't care that you're here." And honestly, 99% of the time I wouldn't want to. But everyone has days when everything feels like too much, when you're irritated, exhausted, and just want to hit the pause button. The furry housemates, however, still want their full bowls and their walk. Sometimes the garden is enough (if you have one) — but a proper outing around the neighbourhood is always preferred.
For their entire lives, they depend on us and will never be independent. They'd love to open the fridge and help themselves, but that's really not within the range of their abilities.
The Sense of Responsibility
There are people who keep animals as status symbols, because they want to show off with them or simply because it's a nice thing to have.
You hear things like: "He just comes along."
That has never worked for me... Because I think too much about whether the living being I've brought into my life is truly happy.
No question — I should probably let go of the worry lines more often and just let a dog be a dog. But since I'm aware of the responsibility I've taken on, I still give my best every day to make these souls happy.
On Health, Flexibility and Spontaneity
Since Archie moved in, our life has changed completely.
Where we used to decide spontaneously and flexibly what to do, planning is now the order of the day.
Four daily medication doses at set times, plus timed meal preparation (special diet) for our epileptic boy, leave only a certain amount of personal freedom.
Even when it's exhausting and requires good management, it's all worth it to me! Watching how Archie has developed over the past year and a half, and HOW happy a dog can be, reminds me exactly why I do this!
Archie and the impact of his illness on our daily life is an extreme case. Nevertheless, even with a healthy dog like Murphy, you should be prepared for things to happen. A torn nail or an ear infection both require care and attention. A holiday or a personal illness means you need someone who can take charge of the four-legged one during that time.
It makes sense to sort this out in advance with family, friends or acquaintances. If you can afford it, there are also dog boarding kennels or dog walkers who can help. Whether the chemistry is right should be tested at a point when the service isn't urgently needed yet.
One, Two, Three, Many,...
We decided that we'd love a small "pack" rather than just one dog on his own. Of course, that's entirely up to each person. If you're also considering keeping multiple dogs, bear in mind that many things take more time and certain expenses naturally increase in line with the number.
Murphy loves his "brother" more than anything, but the attention that Archie received during stressful periods due to his illness was something Murphy sometimes went without.
Feelings of guilt crept in at times, but it was simply the way it was. And the saying:
Pleasing everyone is an art that no one has mastered.
I'm applying that here to the animal world, and accepting that I can't stretch myself thin for everyone.
A few extra cuddles, a solo walk with just me, and the world is right again for Murphy :)
Apart from the care-intensive imbalance, the two have quite different interests and personalities.
Murphy loves to show us where the lizards are hiding and where rabbits and deer have left their tracks, while Archie would rather chase dog treats. Murphy only half-cares about food — I've never met a dog for whom eating is such a minor affair ;)
While Archie loves meeting new dog friends, Murphy prefers to skip new acquaintances and enjoys his time with us. We try to respond to their individual needs and find compromises — just as you would in any relationship.
Individuality definitely exists in the dog world, and no furry nose is quite like another.
Not to Forget: the Costs of a Dog's Life
As I mentioned at the beginning, a dog's life can easily last more than a decade.
I'm not going to lay out an exact cost breakdown here, since the financial commitment depends on a number of factors. It's best to think it through and draw up your own estimate in advance.
Fixed costs you should factor in:
- Acquisition costs
- Food costs
- Vet
- Insurance and tax
Re 1.
First, you need to decide whether you want to give a home to a dog from a breeder, a shelter, or a rescue organisation. Breeders charge their price; shelters and organisations charge an adoption fee. The difference can naturally be hundreds to thousands of euros — worth mentioning.
I also include basic equipment under acquisition costs: collar, harness, lead, bed, toys. These depend to some extent on the size of the dog, much like point 2.
Re 2.
When it comes to food costs, even more factors come into play: do you have a Chihuahua or a Great Dane? Do you want to use dry food or wet food, or would you rather feed raw (BARF)? Do you go for budget brands or premium options? What treats do you want to use? And so on...
Ad 3.
You should also factor in any vet costs. Even if it's just the annual vaccination. Setting up a savings account or taking out health/accident insurance for your dog can be worth considering.
Ad 4.
Liability insurance is, as the name suggests, a must for dog owners too. In most cases there's the option to add your dog to your household insurance. Ask your insurer about it.
You can find out how much the local registration fees for keeping a dog are in your area directly from your local council.
Conclusion
If none of this has put you off, and you're willing to face whatever challenges may come with an animal by your side and take on the responsibility that comes with it — then in my opinion, you're ready to care for a dog's life! ;)
What do you think? Do you see it differently?
