So you’ve decided to get a dog (or your kids’ incessant pleas have finally worn you down)! As tempting as it is to bring home the first ball of fur that captures your heart, take a beat before you commit.
EVALUATE YOUR NEEDS
Make sure everyone is ready to take on the responsibilities of pet ownership such as walking, feeding, playing with and cleaning up after them (a chore chart can come in handy). Think hard about what size, age and breed will fit your family’s needs best. Consider where you live, your work schedule and lifestyle and what you want to do with your dog, suggests Rena Lafaille, director of administration at the ASPCA Adoption Center.
PREPARE YOUR SPACE
Put a comfy bed in every high-traffc room, consider getting a crate where your dog can hang out when you’re not
