Continued from page 1
Pour attention and love on your pet. Why even bother having a pet if you don’t plan to give it affection? That’s
whole point of keeping a critter around, right? So when your little guy (or girl) greets you at
door after work, or wants to snuggle in your lap in front of
TV, don’t push them away. Award them for their faithfulness.
Groom your pet. Grooming counts toward that love and attention requirement, but it also is necessary for
animal’s health as well. Depending on your type of animal, grooming could involve a bath,
occasional haircut, regular hair brushing, tooth exams, and paw inspection.
Hop, skip, and a jump. Animals love exercise. Whether they’re normally cooped up in a cage, an apartment, or, well, a coop, be sure to free them from these confines as often as possible. Dogs don’t just like to take walks to go potty. Cats don’t like to tear up and down furniture just to shred it. They have energy to burn, and will be better off for it.
Teach your pet proper bathroom etiquette. Speaking of going potty, it is essential to train your pet at
earliest possible age to do so properly. Of course, this doesn’t mean training them to put down
lid when they’re done (although supposedly rabbits can be taught to do so!). But it does mean getting a cat to use a kitty litter box, for instance, or a dog to wait until it’s outside. If you don’t know how to train them, learn before you own them. Ask your parents or friends, read a book, visit a chat room, or talk with
vet.
Consider a proper place of higher learning. When training becomes an issue, whether it’s for potty training or how-not-to-chew-up-your-shoes training, consider obedience school. It is not a mark of shame for either you or your pet. In fact, it may be just what your fur ball needs to live
happiest, safest, and healthiest life possible.
To put it bluntly, if you can’t follow these rules, you shouldn’t own a pet. Buy a plant instead. However, if you’re up to
task—and really, most people are—your rewards will be immense. For a little bit of responsibility, time, and money on your part, you and your family will get a lifetime of love and unconditional adoration.

Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services for individuals and businesses to market their products and services online. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers, household items, real estate, pets and much more. http://www.buysellcommunity.com Free Buy & Sell Classifieds