HOW I GOT MY DOG

I have a Maltese, which we carefully chose after considering a lot of factors like their size, grooming needs etc. I wanted a Golden Retriever (who doesn't?) but after doing my research and learning about how much fur they shed and how much separation anxiety they have, we realized it won’t be a good fit for our family.

But even to get Ben (my dog), I had to prove to my parents that I was ready for the responsibilities along with joy of have a dog. My mother had a lot of dogs as a kid, so she understood the commitment very well. She requested our neighbor if I can help care for their dog for an hour every day, of course free of charge. So, for the next few months, I would work under an elder’s supervision to take the dog for a walk, pick up after him, feed him, and play with him every evening all the while managing my regular school routine, homework, tests and assignments. My parents didn't want me to buy a puppy just because it was cute; I had to earn it by showing my understanding of how to care for it. They wanted to be sure that I knew the work it would entail and once I commit, I would stick to it. You can't avoid taking a dog for a walk because you don’t feel like it or are too tired just for an example. If you're unsure, try caring for someone else's dog for a bit, as I did. This will make it less likely that you will surrender your dog to a shelter because you are unable to care for it.