Dog or goldfish? You decide!
There are all kinds of reasons why you should get a dog…
– They will be loyal to you forever
– They are excellent playmates
– They will help you to exercise
But then again, there are all kinds of reasons why you shouldn’t. Having a dog is a huge responsibility, and if you identify with any of the reasons why you shouldn’t have a dog below, then perhaps you should give up on the idea and get a goldfish instead.
Here are the reasons why you probably shouldn’t get a dog.
Reason #1: You don’t have the time to care for a dog properly
To own a dog, you need to be committed. You need to make time to take your dog on regular walks. You need to have the time to offer companionship. You need to have the time to care for all of your dog’s needs. But if you are out of the house for long periods of time, and if you live a very busy lifestyle, then owning a dog may not be for you. A dog needs looking after, so you need to have the time to do all that is necessary.
Reason to get a goldfish: Provided you feed your goldfish a couple of times a day and change their water occasionally, your job is pretty much done. Whether you’re in the house a lot or not, the goldfish probably doesn’t care.
Reason #2: Your home isn’t dog-friendly
If your home is a health and safety nightmare waiting to happen, then you will need to pet-proof your house using the advice given by House Method’s excellent pet safety guide or forget about getting a dog in the first place. Your dog doesn’t have a lot of common sense, so if there’s a loose wire to nibble on, or an open-flame fire to dip his tail into, then he probably will. Fix any problems, or go for the fishy alternative.
Reason to get a goldfish: You don’t need an extensive health and safety guide for a goldfish. They won’t chew wires. They aren’t going to eat foods that are bad for them. The goldfish bowl is a safe environment, and provided it’s not perched precariously on a high shelf, the chances of an accident are slim to none!
Reason #3: You are house proud
Dog hairs anyone?
If you pride yourself on a clean and tidy house, then having a dog could be your worst nightmare. From dog hairs on your sofa to muddy footprints across your kitchen floor, your fragile nerves will be frayed everytime your dog threatens to create any kind of mess in your beautifully kept home. It is still possible to keep your home presentable, despite your dog’s best attempts to prove otherwise, but you may still consider something a little less messy. And you know what we are talking about.
Reason to get a goldfish: Your goldfish may cause the occasional splash of water to hit your carpet, but otherwise, your home is safe. Other than the smell of fish food, there will be no other unpleasant odours. They aren’t going to divebomb your prized possessions in the hunt for a lost ball. And your goldfish isn’t going to leave any nasty deposits anywhere other than the confines of their own bowl. In short, a goldfish is a dream pet for anybody remotely house proud!
Reason #4: You aren’t prepared to exercise
If you aren’t exercising enough, then getting a dog could be the best thing you do today. But if you are unable to exercise or get out of the house regularly, or if you don’t have the time to take your dog for walks, then you need to reconsider bringing a four-legged whirlwind of energy into your home. There are some dogs that don’t need a lot of exercise, including the breeds highlighted here, so take your pick if you are still determined to get a dog, or go for the next best thing. Smelling something fishy yet?
Reason to get a goldfish: Have you ever seen goldfish lead and collar sets in your local pet store? No, of course you haven’t. You don’t need to exercise them at all. Provided they have water to swim around in (they would be dead otherwise), your goldfish will be happy!
Finally
We aren’t really advocating you get a goldfish. You see, we think getting a dog is a very good idea, provided you have the time and ability to look after one. But if you have related to what we have said, then perhaps you should get a goldfish or any one of the other common pets that don’t need a great deal of looking after, for your sake, as well as any dog who is looking for a home to call his own.
