What it takes to be a responsible pet owner?

Baby Puti taking a bath with Mommy

This is the health record of my pets.

Since my assignment in Samar Island in 2003, I have been a dog lover.  It all started when a soldier asked me if I am interested to buy a puppy.  Without any hesitation, I bought the puppy at P300.00 only.  She was adorable, had chocolate-brown hair like a stuffed toy placed in a display table.  After one week, the puppy experienced falling hair that resulted to baldness due to scabies or "galis".  A private even told me to bury the puppy alive because he felt pity of the condition but I told him to dig a grave and I will bury him instead of the dog.  I contacted the vet in the Municipal Agriculture Office of Catbalogan who gave a shot to kill all the eggs of the insects that caused her falling hair.  After a week, significant changes were observed from her like growing hairs and she was already active.  From there, she started to have regular visit to the vet for her vaccinations.

What really takes to become a responsible pet owner?  Many people wants to own a dog or a cat as their pets.  However, some do not have the passion to love and take care of their pets because of their busy schedules and worst if they just want to have pets just to be in with their groups or friends who have pets - meaning, they are irresponsible.  

At the playground...

1. Like humans, pets need food to live.  Foods include milk, dog food and even table food we humans eat but not all can be served to them since they are allergy to some like shrimps, crabs and other freshwater fish.  Chicken bone is a big NO NO for them unless you want their intestines to bleed.  Give them enough water, a water feeder is best so they will not catch leptospirosis. 

2. Pets need regular visit to the vet.  This is to ensure that they are healthy and vaccinated against parvo virus, canine distemper, rabies, worms and other diseases. 

Baby Ganda watching Kuya Raki at the monkey bar.

3.  Pets need grooming.  Bath your dogs once a week so they will be free from dirt.  Shi Tzu breed like my dog is a high maintenance dog.  Grooming includes hair cut, teeth and nail cleaning.  Use shampoo and soaps intended for dogs.  Do not use human shampoo and soaps since this are made of different chemicals that may harm them.  My dogs are also fashionista thay have their own dresses too.

4.  Pets need love and care.  Giving food is not enough to show our love for them.  Hug them, bring them to a leisurely walk or jog around the oval so they can exercise and have fun with them.  In my case, I bring my dogs to church during masses and during choir rehearsals.  Likewise, we eat at the same time!

Raki watching TV with Baby Kulot and Papa Doro

5.  Talk with your pets.  Yes! Others may say you are crazy if you talk to your pets but this is a way to convey what you mean.  They cannot speak but they understand what we are telling them.  

6.  Train your child to be responsible too.  Adult family members should not only be responsible for the pets but the kids too.  This is the perfect stage for children to learn to be responsible.  My nephew Ace Raki who lives with me is already a responsible kid.  He cleans the litters of the dogs, feed them and play with them.

All of us should remember that it is easy to become a pet owner but it is hard to become a responsible pet owner.  Treat your pets like humans.  Give them what they need, give them love and surely, the love you have to them will be given to you in return.  Many articles have been written that dog saves lives.  Your compassion to animals speaks your compassion to people.  Be responsible enough!