By Sonali Pahuja, Intern, Humans of Canines

Don’t we all fantasize about living with someone who would give us unconditional love, listen to us without interrupting and would make rainy days less lonely?

Becoming a dog parent surely feels amazing and is one of the most fulfilling experiences that you can have in life. Dogs are extremely loyal beings and they tend to do everything in their power to make their human feel happy and loved. The way we view the human-animal bond has changed quite a bit since the 20th century. Today, we look at dogs not just as a means to an end but with the hope of getting a friend or a member added to our family. Having a pet dog in your life can increase the quality of life, decrease the stress and help with feelings of isolation.

Even though this process seems fun and easy, there are a few things you need to think about before becoming a dog parent:

• Research thoroughly – Though bringing the dog home feels like a heartfelt decision, it also requires thorough research. The internet can be a good place to start researching and making an informed decision. From what breed will suit your home best to the kind of arrangements you will need to make for them, this entire process will require time and effort on your part and is an extremely important first step to becoming a dog parent. We interviewed 18 dog parents about whether they did any research before bringing a pet home or not. Sanya Aggarwal, a dog parent since 6 years said that her decision of researching well before getting Junior, her pet pug resulted in a smooth transition for the dog. Whereas Jinal Gandhi, who brought Chelsea home without much prior research said that lack of research made it tough for her to cope up with the new responsibility. This points to the fact that researching thoroughly before getting a dog home will only make your experience better and more enriching.

• You should be ready to take up responsibility – Becoming a dog parent feels beautiful and fulfilling but since they require diligent attention and care, these little bundles of joy bring with them loads of responsibilities. Bringing a dog home would require you to also make alterations to your daily routine. Some of the responsibilities that would be added to your life would be regular visits to the vet, adequate monetary investment in the pets’ diet, training and engaging with the dog, and keeping them active through exercise and mental stimulation.

• Check with your family members – If you live with your family, you will need to make sure that everyone is on board with this decision. Dogs require love and a welcoming environment. It might make it discomforting for them as well as for you if everyone in your house is not comfortable with the idea of having a dog around. Even if one person in your family is not comfortable, the dog might develop some behavioral issues in the long run.

Lastly, think well before you decide to become a dog parent. If you decide to do so after having considered all the factors, you will have the most beautiful experience of your life. For the purpose of adding some personal quirks to this article, we interviewed 3 dog parents and asked them some fun questions. Have a look at the images that follow to get an insight into what fun pet parenting looks like!

Citations – “Health And Psychological Benefits Of Bonding With A Pet Dog”. Psychology Today, 2020, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200906/health-and-psychological-benefits-bonding-pet-dog.