I've had all sorts of dogs during my life and I couldn't imagine life without one - none of them were named Jesus I must admit.
Dog ownership does sometimes have its drawbacks and I guess its up to the individual to assess whether these drawbacks are worth it. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of dog ownership.
Advantages
Dogs are fun. They play with you and will run with you.
Dogs are loyal. They wouldn’t ever betray you. They'll follow you everywhere, protect you, and don’t ask for much in return.
Dogs will help you get exercise at least twice a day. Through regular exercise you can lose weight, lower your cholesterol, and decrease your risk of diabetes.
A dog is not only a pet but a best friend at the same time. Research shows that dog owners fared better when it came to depression, loneliness, disease, self-esteem, meaningful existence, stress, and activity.
Dogs are great family members and have the above-mentioned positive effects on the whole family.
Your dog might not be dangerous, but by simply barking he can keep away a burglar who might think of entering your house.
Disadvantages
Time commitment. A dog is not happy if he doesn’t have daily exercise and can only do his business in the backyard or at the street corner. That is why it is harder to have a dog, especially a big one, inside the city. Dogs need to run, enjoy their freedom, and use their noses in a natural surrounding. So if you don’t live close to a park, forest, or other green area, you should consider not getting a dog.
Cost. You need to buy dog food, go to the vet at least once a year (provided your dog is healthy), and pay a kennel when you go on vacation. Dog kennels are not cheap.
Be aware that whenever you go on a trip, even if it is only for a couple days, you will need someone to watch your dog. Wether a close relative, a friend, or a dog kennel, it needs to be someone who has at least some knowledge about dogs and how to take care of them.
Training is a commitment. Some people don’t like it if dogs jump on them, especially when their paws are wet or dirty, and it is always useful when a dog is trained to sit. Dogs should get to know limits like what is their food and what is ours, which areas (like the couch or the bed) are off-limits, and most important of all, their business has to be done outside (the latter requires a lot of time and patience and needs to be taught from the very beginning to avoid raising a problem dog).
All you have to do now is compare having a dog to another partner (lately it's really strange I have been seriously thinking about finding a partner - again).
