None of us enjoy when our lives get turned upside down by unforeseeable circumstances.
We all hope that life goes as smoothly as it possibly can. But what happens when it doesn’t? And what can you do to prepare for unforeseeable circumstances?
Today we’re touching on this particular topic because sometimes the pets we own get caught in the crossfire. Very few of us can prepare for every single negative circumstance that life might throw our way – but perhaps we can prepare for some of the more minor ones, to try and mitigate or lessen some of the fallout that usually comes with it.
It is always best to make sure that you can afford the upkeep of a pet in the first place, before deciding to get one – it is always encouraged to practice responsible pet ownership.
Let’s compile a list of questions that we can ask ourselves when making those bigger life decisions:
– What savings have you got?
– If you don’t have any savings at the moment, is there perhaps a certain amount of money you’re able to put away every month?
– What plans have you got in place should your life get turned upside down?
– Have you got a support system should something drastic happen?
– Are you perhaps living above your means?
We’re going to go through each of these questions in a bit more detail:
What savings have you got?
At this stage – it’s become important to have savings in place, especially when there’s instability all around and nothing is guaranteed. If you have planned ahead and have savings, carry on putting money aside each month – this money should only be used for emergencies.
If you don’t have any savings at the moment, is there perhaps a certain amount of money you’re able to put away every month?
Again, your life can get turned upside down in an instant – so try to make a plan to put money aside every month to make sure you can mitigate some of the fallout should things get turned upside down.
What plans have you got in place should your life get turned upside down?
God forbid should something unimaginable befall you – but it is always best to have a plan in place should something happen that is outside of your control. And this is especially important if you have a family to take care of.
Have you got a support system should something drastic happen?
Again – everyone needs a support system; especially when something outside of your control happens. Everyone has their own problems and their own lives, but a plan of some sort of support should be available to you should something drastic and out of your control come your way.
Are you perhaps living above your means?
Everyone likes getting and keeping nice things – but sometimes we can’t really afford to have nice things, especially if they require upkeep. Living above your means can very quickly land you in hot water if something out of your control happens and you can’t pay your creditors anymore.
Sometimes a person needs to make choices – and hard choices. Sometimes a person can’t afford to have the best of both worlds – and one needs to be chosen. Here are some more questions that are related to your pet:
– Is your pet properly socialized?
– Is there someone in your support network that is able to take your pet in or take care of it should something happen to you, or perhaps knows of someone who can?
– If you need to move or relocate, do you have appropriate transport for your pet?
Again – life happens, and sometimes you need to make other plans when life does happen. What plans do you have in place should life happen? Here is a bit more detail regarding the three questions above:
Is your pet properly socialized?
In today’s day and age, it’s important to socialize your pet properly, especially if it needs to interact with other people, kids and pets/animals. This will make the process of giving your animal to someone else a lot easier, especially if it needs to adjust to a new environment and new owners.
Aggressive animals or ill adjusted/unsocialized animals do not adjust well with other people, kids or strange pets.
Is there someone in your support network that is able to take your pet in or take care of it should something happen to you, or perhaps knows of someone who can?
This one is pretty self-explanatory – but it still needs to be something that should be considered. Be sure to have a plan in place of someone in your support system who would be able to either take your pet in or knows of someone else who would be able to take your pet in should something happen to you.
If you need to move or relocate, do you have appropriate transport for your pet?
This might sound like a stupid question; but sometimes when we get a pet – we don’t take into consideration the size of vehicle we have. A person can quite easily transport a puppy – but would you be able to transport it when it’s grown into an adult?
Sometimes a person needs to take into consideration the sort of breed to get depending on what size transport they have. Getting a large breed and having a small car might not always work.
No one wants to think about having to give their pet away – but it is a reality, and one you should have a plan in place for, because it is something that can quite easily happen.
Another reality to keep in mind is that a lot of complexes don’t allow pets – so in essence, a pet owner usually has to be a home/house owner. So again – have you got a plan in place to be able to keep up with house payments? Could there be a possibility that you might have to give up your home/house should something drastic happen to your finances?
Everyone would like to say that something won’t ever happen – but the reality is – is that it can and does. So – last time: do you have a plan in place?
Last, but not least – this blog post is part of the Pet Ownership 101 series – other posts will also be available under this category.
Blog Post By Your Pet Caring Friend,
Carmen Harris.
