Should I Get A Pet?

This story begins on a beautiful sunny fall day. People are out walking the local walking trail or sidewalk enjoying the warm breeze. You don’t have to walk far before you are struck by the number of people who have brought their pet on the walk. Dogs of many breeds are everywhere. You laugh when you see a cat enjoying the comfort of a toy baby carriage moving down the path. You notice that the people with pets seem to be having a great deal of fun and whether young or old, male or female, pets are commonplace. 

You wonder if a pet might be just the thing to make your life more enjoyable. After all you have read that research shows that pets reduce stress and add comfort to people who are recuperating from illness. A cat, a dog, perhaps a bird or fish might meet your needs as well. Many options exist, but currently one that can walk with their owner seems best. 

That evening you find yourself surfing the internet gathering information on dogs and cats. A fish or bird seems to be out of the question. Well, it doesn’t hurt to look and you pass close by the animal shelter on the way to and from work anyway.

The shelter is quite the place. It is much larger than you expected and the number of animals needing a good home is huge. You wonder where have all of these animals come from and what happens to them if they are not adopted? 

“Can I help you” you hear from a professionally looking person wearing a white jacket. Of course the answer is yes and you go on to tell the person about your walking experience and your internet search. The worker says with a laugh “Let’s go shopping” and another choice moves you closer to a major decision. 

The stage is set. You are now going to look into the eyes of many animals who, you think, would love to go home with you. Walking down the hallways you spot an animal that seems to be particularly interested in you. 

A black and white cocker spaniel with bright eyes and a wiggly butt is calling your name and you stop to take a very close look.

“A very good choice” says the worker. “His name is Tuffy but he is not tough at all. He is very good natured, healthy, and very good with young children.” You take the dog out of the cage and begin to get to know each other. A good connection, you think, and your mind starts to roam through the many fun opportunities having Tuffy could provide from an enjoyable walk to having a sofa companion as you watch television. 

You wonder if this is a good idea. To date you have just been thinking about a dog, now you are about to make an actual choice. Now is the time-perhaps past time-to get help from the decision making guide. The complexity of the guide and the need to spend some time following it should cause you to step back and ask if you can “put your name on Tuffy” for a few days and get to the decision making work at hand.   

HAS TUFFY FOUND A HOME? The decision to get a pet is one that highlights the blending of facts and emotion. In order to be helpful, the decision making facts must be interwoven with your personality. You will KNOW YOURSELF far more when you finish the guide and make a corresponding choice. This process will make you feel better about your pending choice and it will help reduce the remorse that often follows a decision no matter what it may be.


Applications Insights Guide - click here for facts to aid your decision making process