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copyright ©1999-2005
DigsMagazine.com.
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animal
house
living
with pets
by Rebecca Pedlow |
1 2
3
continued from page 2
how do your
living companions feel about pets?
My fiancé was initially alarmed by the idea of cats in the household,
due to an allergy. But as he found that the cats were nonnegotiable for
me, he eventually got over both his reservations and the allergy when
the cats arrived. Whether you live with your significant other or share
a roof with roommates, you might find that your living companions are a
bit resistant. They may be overwhelmed by dogs, allergic to cats, or
deathly afraid of parrots, and all this needs to be considered in your
hopes to take on a pet. Having a plan prepared regarding how you will
care for your new pet will help allay some of their fears, but be
prepared for a refusal, or a compromise in the areas of the house the
animal is allowed to prowl.
Still another point you might
want to consider is how an animal reacts to kids. If you're regularly
visited by small children, already have ones of your own, or foresee
their presence in the future, you should know that some animals get
easily spooked by the whirlwind of energy and high-pitched noises that
junior can generate. If you're hoping to have a home that's both pet-
and child-friendly, make sure you choose a placid animal that will be
safe around the kids.
do you have
the spare cash?
Animals are expensive, especially once you've gotten them home. There
are the food bills, the vet bills, the cages/bowls/litter trays. Be
prepared for unexpected bills to arrive at the worst of times -- vets
are often as expensive as human doctors and surgery can run to thousands
of dollars. My 19 year old's vet bills ran into hundreds of dollars
simply for tooth decay problems. Depending where you live, neutering and
vaccinations may be compulsory, further adding to the costs. And in some
places, dogs may also need to be registered with the local authority.
o
o o
After saying all this, I
wouldn't give up my two girls for anything in the world. Nothing beats a
pet balled up on your feet on a cold night, or the wake up call of your
cat's purrs as she settles next to you in bed. With a little bit of
forethought and planning, you can ensure that you and your pet become
the happiest of roommates.
o
Rebecca
Pedlow is
a process engineer living in Fremantle WA, Australia. She shares a house
with her fiancé and two elderly felines. When not working she enjoys
reading, home improvement projects and running.
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