Companionship is not overrated. Here’s what to consider before adoption so you can decide, is it time to add a pet to your life?
Beauty for ashes
It took me two years to recover from losing two pets one month apart. Pepper, a Chow Chow, passed from old age (14 still doesn’t seem old to me), and Daisy, a Rottweiler, contracted cancer at the tender age of 5.
Two years later my brother-in-law announced that his fiancee’s Yorkshire Terrier was expecting. My husband and I discussed whether or not bringing a new four-legged baby into the family would be a good match.
Since I operate my business from home, caring for a new family member seemed to not be a concern. However, I knew there would be some interruptions, but I couldn’t help being excited. We decided to adopt.
Two months after the three Yorkie siblings (two male, one female) were born, my brother-in-law and his fiancee brought our new boy to my home. He was tiny and had that new puppy smell that we all know and love. The other boy was adopted, but the girl still didn’t have a home, and she was brought along so as not to leave her unattended.
I picked up the boy and hugged him. He was sleepy and seemingly didn’t care about the transfer of ownership. Then, I looked at the harness around the fiancee’s body.
“Who’s that?,” I asked.
“This is the girl,” said the fiancee.
“Let me see her.”
The fiancee handed the small bundle to me. I lifted her to my face, and she licked my cheek. Instantly, she was mine. I asked my husband if we could keep her, but I only asked because he was standing next to me. His response didn’t matter; her kiss was an instant bond.
Time flies
Having two beautiful canines in my life has been more than gratifying. Mae ascended into heaven in 2025 while and Pepi, now 15 years old, and I continue to live grand lives together. The three of us experienced a lot together, much more than I ever thought possible when they became mine. Some of the highlights:
- My husband passed away before their first birthday.
- Pepi experienced seizures a day before his third birthday.
- Mae ran barking after another, bigger dog and could have been hurt but was not.
- I was bitten twice by a ferocious dog while defending Pepi from being bitten.
- The three of us traveled twice by car from New York to Nevada.
Health and maintenance are mandatory
I’ve never owned pets needing non-specific doctor’s care, so when Pepi’s seizures began, I had no idea what was happening.
His medical bills to address it, along with kidney stones that occurred a few years later, totaled over $10,000. It’s understandable that many people cannot cover such a cost. I could not abandon him and paid the charges through my retirement money. Pepi’s love, spirit, and companionship is priceless, and the same was true about Mae who calmed me during challenging times by – you guessed it – licking my cheeks.
Owning a pet of any type is a lifestyle choice. They have to fit into your life at the time you commit to ownership, and you must be prepared to go the distance with them no matter what occurs.
Routine healthcare and licensing is a must. The kids’ last rabies shots were administered during a free clinic for all city dogs, which saved me more than $350. I now admit I have trust issues and pay for Pepi’s rabies shot through his veterinarian.
Proper clothing and equipment is optional but important. I invested in full wardrobes (sweaters, coats, booties, hats, beds, stroller, everything!). Here’s what to include in a pet gift basket.
Grooming is mandatory. Professional groomers are scheduled every three months.
You must learn to “read” non-verbal communication. Pepi stares at me when he needs to go out for bathroom breaks in-between regular breaks.
Is it time to add a pet to your life?
It’s okay if your lifestyle does not permit a pet to enter your life. However, if you are ready, be prepared for love and companionship that’s unmatched by anything you can imagine.
©ShirleyGeorgeFrazier. All rights reserved.
Originally published in 2016.
