The Wedding is Over and Now You Want a Pet?

What? Are you crazy? You just got back from the honeymoon and already you're talking about getting a pet?

If you cannot be talked out of it, perhaps you will take some time to make a wise decision - together. Actually, perhaps it will be a valuable learning experience for your marriage. Maybe the selection process will give you some quick insights into some of your differences and similarities, and learning these things early on might help you avoid conflicts later on.

So let's get to it.

You have probably established whether or not each of you is a dog person or a cat person. In fact, that may have been part of what attracted you to each other. There do seem to be differences in personalities with persons who choose dogs over cats, and vice versa.

If you have decided that you will add cats to your cozy family, the decision process includes:

1) Do you like long, medium or short-haired cats?

2) Would you prefer bonding with a cuddly kitten, or acquiring a cat that is older and wiser about the world?

3) Do you prefer buying a special breed of cat or a mixture?

4) Will you purchase your cat from a pet store, an individual or a shelter?

5) What do you think about declawing a cat?

6) Will you be devastated if the cat ruins that chair you had in college?

If a dog will be your first family addition:

1) Do you prefer large, medium or small dogs?

2) Does color matter?

3) Will it be one that sheds truckloads of fur, or one that sheds minimally?

4) Are you seeking a specific breed, a trendy mixture or one of unknown parentage?

5) Are you able to train a puppy, or would you like a dog that is already house broken?

6) Do you prefer or loathe dog crates?

7) What happens if the dog chews your favorite underwear?

Would you prefer having more than one animal - his and hers?

What about the care and feeding of your new family member? Who will be responsible for buying the food? For feeding the pet?

Does one of you get sick just thinking about cleaning out a litter box?

Does one have such a strange work schedule that regular walks will be impossible? Or will one be embarrassed walking such a small critter?

If the pet gets sick, which one will be responsible for getting it to the veterinarian's office? Do you have a favorite vet in mind?

Do you prefer buying dry or wet foods? If your pet choice is a dog, what is your opinion of feeding scraps? Is your pet going to be welcome at the table?

What about training a dog? Do you want a dog that will do tricks? Do you want your dog to go to a professional trainer?

Have you considered doggie or kitty daycare? Or having a neighborhood kid who can feed and/or walk your animal so that a regular schedule is achieved?

What about when you go on trips or vacations? Do you prefer taking an animal with you, professional boarding, of finding a friend who will help out?

Have you planned on having children any time soon? If so, that should be factored into your decision for choosing a pet now. Choosing a breed known to be jealous or that can be aggressive with children might not be a good idea.

There is so much more to selecting a pet than just rushing off to the local animal shelter and allowing yourself to fall in love with an orphan animal. Or is there?

Do you prefer taking weeks or months to find the perfect pet? Or would you like to rush off to the mall or to the shelter to just see what happens?

As you answer these questions, and any others that come to mind, you will be learning even more about your new spouse. And you will come to realize that each day decision you make will require both contemplation and concessions. And so a marriage grows.

Marilyn Mackenzie has been writing about home, family, faith and nature for over 40 years. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.