Should I get a dog or cat if I’m feeling lonely?

NO! Let me say it again: NO!! Do not respond to your loneliness by just getting a dog or cat. You might not have time for a pet; you might not have the money for 15 years of food and vet bills; you might not feel like attending a puppy class every week. The list goes on!

The last thing I want people to take from this blog is the idea that just “getting” an animal will fix their loneliness. You have to think of the animal first. Are you really ready for a 15-20 year commitment? Do you have an animal-friendly home? Is anyone in your family allergic?

You can see I’m getting sort of high-strung here, but I routinely spend time at an animal shelter, and I see all the animals who are handed over because they’re no longer “right” for the owner, or because the owner can “no longer” care for them. I’ve met animals who’ve been dumped on the side of the highway, or left in the woods—just because they no longer suited the owner’s lifestyle.

Think long and hard before getting a pet. Foster first. Walk dogs until you find one you just can’t live without. Ask yourself if it’s the right time. And be honest with your answers!