Both on here and in rl people seem to think their pets are disposable. I hate his attitude. I was brought up to believe that when you take on an animal, you take responsibility for that animal, for the rest of it's life no matter what, unless that pet poses an immediate threat to the safety of your family.
By immediate I mean like a hormonal Cockatoo who has never been socialised with men and attempts to rip chunks of your neck off when you enter the same room as it, not the dog who snaps at your darling dc when they pull it's tail once too often.
If you are planning on buying a new pet, please consider the following:
It will live for X amount years. How will your life change in those years i.e. If you buy a cat as baby substitute when you are in your early 20's chances are that cat will still be alive and still be your responsibility when you have an actual baby. So if you don't agree that babies and cats should mix, don't get a cat. Get a goldfish instead.
They are hard work and dogs in particular need ongoing training, which could prove to be expensive, if you need to get in a professional. Are you prepared to put in the time and the money?
They may develop an on going illness that will need life long treatment. Are you prepared to be home at certain times of each day to administer medicine, or to bathe your pet in special shampoo x amount of days a week etc?
If it's a furry animal you must assume that they will leave hair on your furniture. Even if the breeder says they won't. There are never any guarantees.
They might damage your house and eat your favourite shoes. I know a dog who ate a whole bathroom carpet in one sitting. He had only been left for an hour.
They might make nusciences of themselves by mewing or barking or whatever at daft o clock in the morning.
They will probably poo in your house at some point during their lives. They may never stop pooing in your house if they have an illness such as ibs or suffer fits which cause them to loose control of bowels.
You will need to arrange suitable care for them if you wish to go on holiday. This is expensive.
They are expensive.