Puppy love: choosing the right dog for YOU

Mary and Rob Tenney had been thinking about getting a dog for some time, but they both worked and weren't sure they would have the time for a dog.

One day Mary saw the most adorable Yorkie puppy peering from behind the glass of a pet store display window. Mesmerized by those big brown puppy eyes, Mary soon found herself driving home with a new puppy, a trunk full of puppy supplies that the salesperson recommended and a wallet that was hundreds of dollars lighter.

Shortly after her purchase, Mary discovered that the puppy who seemed fine in the pet store had an acute respiratory infection. Her first weeks with her new puppy were a blur of expensive vet appointments, medications and countless hours nursing her puppy back to health. Not to mention the recriminating glances from Rob, who hadn't even been consulted about the new addition.

Mary made the classic mistake of an impulse purchase and now regrets her rash decision. If she had done a little research she would not only have known to avoid purchasing a pet store puppy, but she would also have discovered that getting a dog was not a responsible decision based upon her current lifestyle. Unlike a mismatched lamp or a faulty refrigerator, a puppy cannot be easily returned or exchanged.

Do You REALLY Want a Puppy? So, you say that you want a puppy, but are you thinking with your heart and not your head? Are you truly ready for the trials and tribulations of a tiny terror invading your home? As wonderful as puppies are, they also involve a great deal of work, a hefty investment of time and money, as well as the patience of a saint. In short, a puppy means responsibilities:

Even if you have the patience and love to put up with all the changes and challenges that a new puppy will bring, are you and your family willing to care for a dog for the 10-15 years that he or she will be a member of your family, even when your puppy is no longer cute and cuddly?

One of the most important factors to consider is whether your lifestyle has room for a dog. Will the dog be alone in an apartment all day or will there be someone at home? Does your significant other want a dog? Have you or any member of your family ever lived with a dog before? If not, spend some time interacting with dogs! Baby-sit a friend's dog while they go on vacation or visit a house with doggie family members. You would be surprised at how many people bring home a new dog only to find out later that hubby is allergic or little junior is absolutely petrified of dogs.

You may have the desire, but think honestly about whether you have the ability to provide an appropriate environment for a dog. Now that you have considered it a bit more, perhaps you've decided that you are not ready to bring a dog into your home. Wonderful! That is one less pet who will be abandoned because someone didn't think carefully about the commitment involved in bringing a dog into their family. You can still satisfy your puppy urges by volunteering at a shelter, where you will get all the unconditional doggie love you can handle!

If you still want to get a puppy after reading the above, then congratulations! You are about to embark on a wonderfully rewarding, yet challenging, adventure. Now the real work begins. Don't think of this process as simply "getting a dog"—you are adopting a family member that will be with you for life. By doing some research and making your decision carefully, your story will have a happy ending.