Sitting here with Tasha and Fallon, listening to them talk about the puppy, Baby, they just fostered, I couldn’t help but reflect on what having a pet really means. Maybe some people think I’m a little strict about this subject, but honestly, I’ve seen too many families take in pets without thinking it through, and in the end, both the people and the animals end up suffering.
When Tasha talked about Baby—a four-month-old pit bull pup already showing signs of aggression—I found myself nodding in understanding. She was right to be concerned about raising a dog that will grow much larger in a small house without a yard. It’s not just about space, but about the long-term responsibility that many people don’t fully consider.
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“I love animals,” I often say when people ask why I don’t have a dog or a cat, “but loving them doesn’t mean I have to own one.” Maybe that sounds a bit cold, but I believe having a pet is like having a child—you have to commit for 10 to 15 years, sometimes even 20, to a living being that will depend entirely on you.
Hearing Tasha describe how she cooked for Baby—ground turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables—I had to admit, they were doing a great job. But she was also honest about the struggles: the puppy clung to her 24/7, didn’t listen to Fallon, and brought that overwhelming feeling of being responsible for a creature that would soon be as big as she was.
What I appreciated most about Tasha was her honesty. She didn’t pretend everything was perfect, didn’t try to sugarcoat the story. “I don’t want to be stressed about this,” she said, and I thought that was a precious kind of honesty. Many people think admitting the difficulties of pet ownership is cruel, but in reality, it’s a sign of responsible love.
When they decided to take Baby back to the rescue shelter, I saw it as the right decision, even if it was painful. And thankfully, within just an hour, Baby had already found a new family. That showed me that sometimes letting go is also an act of love.
I understand why Tasha is drawn to animals like goats or horses—creatures that can live outdoors, in their natural environment. There’s something unsettling about locking a living being in a crate every time you leave the house. If you have to do that, maybe you’re not ready for a pet.
And then there’s the cost. Three to five hundred dollars a month, sometimes more if you add in boarding or pet-sitting when you travel. It’s not just about money, it’s also about lifestyle. You can’t just take off on a week-long trip without worrying, and you can’t stay out late without thinking about taking the dog for a walk.
Maybe one day, when I’m 70 or 75 and ready to stay home more, I’ll think about getting a small dog. But for now, with so many trips and plans still ahead, I believe loving animals from a distance is the best way.
Listening to Tasha and Fallon, I felt like they had learned a valuable lesson. Not because they didn’t love Baby, but because they did love her enough to recognize they couldn’t give her the best life. That’s a kind of mature love, a responsibility I deeply respect.
In the end, having a pet is like any other major decision in life—it requires honesty with yourself, careful preparation, and above all, a long-term commitment. If you’re not ready for all of that, then maybe the best choice is to wait until you truly are.
