The Honeymoon's Over

Deciding on which pet to adopt can be a lot like courtship. It is always best to take things slow and err on the side of caution. However, many of us go looking for love at the pet shelter and there, across the expanse of that kennel, you meet that perfect pet. Your eyes lock and the world stands still for a moment.

“I’ll take that one!”

The animal adoption worker urges you to think things through. Are you sure that this is the one for you? Are you aware of the all the consequences and responsibilities of pet ownership?

You disregard their line of questioning and act on pure emotion. You just want this pet.

You are quite possibly in what’s referred to as “the honeymoon period” of pet adoption. Rescue workers see this happen all the time, and it is the main reason animals are returned to shelters.

During the honeymoon period the pure adrenaline rush of adopting a new pet sometimes blinds us to realities. Then, 24 hours after adoption, when your new pet has torn up your couch, peed on your carpet, and eaten your favorite pair of shoes, reality sinks in and you may not be able to handle it. Make sure you carefully consider every last detail when adopting a pet. It is not like a toaster that you can easily return.

Have you ever been blindly jumped into a relationship with a new pet? How did you handle things when reality set in?