I am 46 years old and for as long as I can remember my own existence, I cannot remember living a single day without having at least one dog living with me. My first dog was a stray named Toto. I was probably 4 or 5 years old.
Yes, having a dog is incredible. Feeling the friendship of a furry friend is something unique and everyone should open their minds to this type of experience.
However, not everything is joy on this journey, and dogs, unfortunately, are not for everyone.
Firstly, dogs are expensive. Starting with medical care, which becomes more expensive every year. When I was a child living in São Paulo, the State used to give free rabies vaccinations to all dogs in the neighborhood. And that was it, the rabies vaccine was the only concern we had for our little mutt. Nowadays it's not quite like that. Each year we add more vaccines to be given. Distemper, Bordetella, Flu, Leptospirosis, what will be next? And free vaccines given by the government practically no longer exist, not even in a third world country like Brazil, where I came from.
When I was a kid, I don't remember my dogs getting sick as they get sick now. I have my theory as to why this happens, but this article is not the place to talk about it. Who knows, in another future article. The fact is dogs today get much sicker than thirty years ago. On average, a dog visits the veterinarian six to eight times a year. When I was a kid, honestly, it was rare to see the vet's face.
Of course, prices also increased. A routine visit with a veterinarian these days easily costs $200 and can quickly Pass $500. Why? Because everything has become more expensive! The world has become more expensive! It's not the vet’s fault, the clinic, or anyone specific. It's just the market. Do you want to treat your dog like a son? A person? Very well, you will spend money as if he were a son, a person. The humanization market pushed us to this, now there is no turning back. Accept it, or don't have dogs.
There are other reasons we should consider. I work with canine behavior, and do you know why my profession exists today and thirty years ago it didn't exist? Take a look at the paragraph above. You will probably find the answer to that question right there.
Feeding a dog today is proportionally 500 times more expensive than it was thirty years ago. Food for specific breeds, special foods, treats, fresh food that shares space with human food inside the refrigerator. Anyone's fault? No! Just the market that directed us towards this.
In my previous article, DOGS ARE JUST DOGS, I mentioned the fact that dogs are happy just being dogs, and the dangers when we overvalue their intelligence. I'm not here criticizing or trying to give a negative image about having dogs. Far from it! I love dogs! As I said at the beginning, I lived my whole life with them.
However, people need to understand that having one, two, or three dogs is not simple. Especially in today's world where dogs are no longer just dogs but have become almost human.
People who accumulate dogs at home, adopting them left and right with the best of intentions trying to help a poor animal that is abandoned and needs a home. Cost, time, attention, food, medical care, and many other factors that are forgotten when the love within our hearts blinds us and we bring home another dog, and another, and another...
I'm not even commenting on the behavioral fact in cases like these. Adapting to the new home, the presence of another dog, cats, other pets, training, and so on.
In any case, it is necessary to remember that dogs, unfortunately, in today's world, are not for everyone. Or perhaps, having just one dog could be much more rewarding, fun, and cheaper. Maybe even better from a mental and physical health point of view for you, and him, than filling the house with too many dogs.
Marco Magiolo is a bestselling author, trainer, and speaker. Connect with Marco on social media and subscribe to future newsletters and updates.
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