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By Sophie  Most people have pets and consider them their best friends. Although a furry living being is cute to look at and hug, it is a big responsibility that requires time, effort, and financial resources.
Even though having a pet may be one of the most rewarding things, it’s a big decision and responsibility to get a cat, dog, rabbit or even a hamster. The expenses can get quite costly. For example, a trip to the vet to get your furry friend vaccinated can cost up to £40 and getting him/her spayed costs between £200 and £500, according to PETMED. Meet my 10-year-old cat. She is not the friendliest cat; she doesn’t allow you to pet her for too long but she’s still the kindest cat in my eyes. A couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with a heart disease which means that she has to take medication on a daily basis and see the vet every 3 months. These are additional costs that couldn’t have been prevented, however, it is vital for her. Cats are nocturnal, meaning they sleep long hours during the day and become active during the night. Therefore, your little fella can wake you up several times per night. Although traveling with a pet can be a fun experience, it is pretty pricey, especially if you want your pet to be with you in the cabin during the flight (this is only possible for cats and small dogs). I have taken my cat on vacation once and paid around £150 to have her with me on the plane. She was very stressed but was extremely calm and meowed only twice. However, other times, when I left the country, I would give her to my sister who took good care of her – I won’t lie, my heart ached to leave her but I knew she was in good hands. If you live in an apartment, you’ll have to litter train your cat – this process can be either long or short depending on the age and on other factors. So, if you adopt a seven-year-old cat whose toilet was outside then it might take him/her longer to understand that this habit should change. Here are some things I would have wanted to know before getting a cat: - Although a cat can be quite small in size, its costs can get high quickly. Being able to cover basic costs (e.g., food, litter box, annual check-ups) is essential, however, putting a larger sum aside in case of emergencies is important – by emergencies, I mean extra vet appointments, travel expenses, medication. - Cats love to play during the night but not necessarily with toys. Whether it’s running after shadows, after a string, or a ball of paper – they will love it and no need to spend money! Apps like Friskies Catfishing or Mouse are meant to entertain cats – I won’t lie, my cat’s attention span wasn’t that good with those kinds of games. - Do you know the saying “You don’t own a cat; a cat owns know”? – well it’s true. They expect you to treat them like kings and queens. Let’s say you’re tired after your working day and you just want to hit the hay, so you close the door and try to fall asleep but you can’t: your cat is scratching your door. That’s because he/she can’t stand not being able to get into your room and snuggle up with you or just walk around your room exploring the surroundings. I would suggest having treats next to your bed and giving some in case the noise bothers you. It’ll distract your cat who’ll be grateful for having a midnight snack and might even take a nap on you – those are the best moments!
“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud In conclusion, having a cat is pretty awesome! You always have someone to come home to and he/she keeps you company by sitting on the table whilst you’re having breakfast. However, getting a pet should be thought through carefully. I promise you that having a cat is one of the coolest and wholesome things ever. No wonder why people compare having a pet to having a child – it’s a huge responsibility but it’s definitely worth it if you have the resources. I promise you that having a cat is one of the coolest and most wholesome things ever. Take care of yourself (and your pet)!
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By Katherine In our lifetime, we meet a variety of people and develop numerous friendships as well as develop close bonds with our family members. However, some of us adopt a pet of some sort that becomes a part of our family. Big or small, these lovable animals develop a bond with us and we connect with them as well. Why do people form such strong attachments to an animal living in their home? Becoming more than a cute companion, pets offer us something challenging to come by, unconditional love. The constant admiration that our pets give us can bring us a peace of mind as well as reassurance. Pets are always pleased to see us and greet us with admiration and love the moment we come home after a day of school or work. Although it may seem odd to those who have never had a pet, losing a pet can be one of the most heart wrenching obstacles that a pet owner can face. For some, losing a pet can be just as significant as losing a person.
A pet becomes a loved one and we develop close ties with our pets, spending more time with them and in doing so, they become a more constant aspect of our lives. When losing a pet, a great change is made that leads to grief. With any significant change, there is a sense of confusion as we abandon our old patterns. Similar to when anyone in our life passes away, we experience a great amount of sadness and loss. Some may go through a depressive episode when losing a pet and oftentimes society seems to undermine that. Society tends to make losing a pet a casual affair and in doing so, invalidates the feelings of those who do struggle with the loss. Pets never expect anything more from us than love and care, they will never hurt or betray us and will stick with us through the most trying times. Although all pet owners realize the day will come when they must say goodbye, it is never something you can truly prepare for. I lost my dog Mickey at the age of five to cancer in the summer of 2018. I had had him since he was a few months old and was closer to him than anyone else. He was always there for me and had such a positive energy all the time, he was protective, intelligent, and there for me when no one else was. I was devastated when he was diagnosed but treasured every moment with him until his heart stopped. My other dog Ally was diagnosed with osteosarcoma the following February and was heartbroken to learn that I would lose my first dog so soon after losing Mickey. She lived until that December, peacefully passing away. I had had Ally for about six years, she was kind and loving and wanted to spend as much time with people as possible. I grew up with them, they were a part of my family and I heavily struggled with losing them. Losing a pet is much more challenging than people without pets may realize and can be a heavy burden to carry. It’s valuable to know that although they are gone, they will remain in your heart forever. Pets desire to make their owners happy and love them so it’s important to value the time you do have with them even though it may seem too short. Keeping their memory alive and reminiscing on the joyful memories shared with them can be bittersweet but a key aspect of dealing with loss. It’s healthy to feel pain from such a loss and to grieve but it is valuable to know that although we don’t spend our entire lives with them, we are their entire life and as pet owners, we strive to make that time as enjoyable as possible and for many it can be the best time of their life. Losing a pet is a struggle that all pet owners eventually face so we must treasure the times we share with our pets so we can reminisce and realize that we do all we can for our pets. Regardless of how long we spend with our pet, they are a life-long friend. By Cody Last year I lost my eldest cats and both of my dogs, which was such a devastating loss to myself and my family. Those of you who are experiencing the same loss or about to go through the loss of a pet will understand how heart-wrenching it feels, but knowing how to grieve their loss is important! If you don’t learn to grieve your pet healthily you put yourself at risk of depression or anxiety or even may struggle to deal with your feelings in the future.
Pets most often are put to sleep or pass away from old age or age-related conditions (such as severe arthritis). When the pet is old, owners are usually prepared or at least somewhat expecting the end of the pet's life, though this can still be hard to deal with. But, from my personal experience, there’s no worse feeling than when you’re not expecting the untimely death of a pet. You can feel robbed of the years that you still expected your pet to live and this can lead to a harder grieving process. Providing you’re having to put your pet to sleep (PTS), like many owners do, it is important to prepare yourself for the day. I recommend taking paid time off (PTO) work or having the appointment booked for a day when you’re scheduled to be off work and away from other arrangements. Saying your final goodbye is tough and may affect you more than you expect. On the day, your vet will take you and your pet into a private room and allow your pet to get comfortable before anything else happens. Once you’re ready (your vet should prompt this), the vet will administer medication that makes your pet drowsy, and they will pass within the next few minutes. Do note that your pet may ‘flop’ to the floor or onto the table during the process of inserting the medication, so, it’s a good idea to have them in your arms or lying down before inserting the meds. Because I always had a pet to return to at home, I was very fortunate to never have the feeling of an ‘empty house’, but I have heard from others that you will need someone to come home and spend time with you during the day of your pet’s passing - it can feel very lonely whilst you’re getting used to the fact there are no pets at home. The worst death for me was my dearest Pippa, a 9-year-old beagle who suffered from problems with her hips and hind legs, which sadly was the reason we had her put to sleep (it would be too cruel to let her suffer after many attempts of different medication not working for her). The sad choice to have her PTS was much worse than my eldest dog Odie, an 11-year-old King Charles spaniel, who passed of old age as well as my two cats Garfield and Smokie (British short-haired cats), simply because my family and I were not expecting Pippa to pass with at least another few years expected of life for her breed. Learning to grieve was a difficult process for me. Crying was the hardest thing to do after all my animals left us. I kept trying to keep it in for the sake of my other family members, but I soon realised that it was making me more upset to keep it in than it was to let out my sadness. Please allow yourself to cry, and do whatever you need to do emotionally to let out the sadness! It’s important not to ponder on those last moments with your pet as you don’t want to remember them in such a sad way. Instead, find a way to grieve your pet after their passing, whether you wish to create a memorial for your pet, write about your pet (like I am), reach out to others in your support group, or simply remember the happy times you had together; it is important to find which is best for you. In the modern world, social anxiety, loneliness and depression are scarily common. In teenagers, poor mental health is especially concentrated, approximately 4.5 million people below the age of 18 suffer from diagnosed anxiety, and around 2 million suffer from diagnosed depression.
Having a therapy pet can lower loneliness through animal companionship, they also keep you to a routine and give you something to wake up for - helping with depression - and even release endorphins which make you feel happier and calmer in yourself. As well as this, therapy pets are proven to lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and diminishes overall physical pain. Also, the act of petting an animal produces an automatic relaxation response, reducing the amount of medication some people need. A couple years ago my family got a kitten, and since then our mental health has gotten steadily better, and even brought us closer together as a family unit. Without my cat, I don’t think my family would be at the point it’s at today. Some good animals as therapy pets: Dogs
Of course there are many other animals which are suited to the role of a ‘therapy pet’, these six categories are just the most common. Scientists, psychologists, doctors and animal specialists are constantly discovering new information on the positive effects of therapy pets, so even now we may not yet know the depths to which pets can help us, both mentally and physically. But, we do know that they can greatly help, and definitely have a positive effect on health. However, don’t purchase a therapy pet without first making sure you have the space and money to look after it. Don’t go rushing in to later realise you can’t afford to buy all the equipment needed and the food. Don’t compromise on the animal’s happiness just because you didn’t think the decision through. But, in the end, animals do have a great impact on health, and if you have the means to take care of one, I highly recommend you do. Esme You’re either a cat person or a dog person. I am a hundred per cent a dog person. These balls of fluff are known for their loyalty and as a pet parent to two little doggos I know how true that is, as they are there following me all the time. It can even be a little creepy at times! But it is nice to know that there is someone there. However, if you’re not a hundred per cent sold on getting a dog (or if you’re trying to convince someone to get a dog),here are my reasons: They give you a reason to get up in the morning. It is so easy to just stay in bed all day and binge Netflix. But when you’ve got a dog, you need to get up. For things such as letting them out for a wee or feeding them. Also, they get you out and about. For a daily walk, which is really important for your dog’s health but also your health. So, do some stretches, lace up your trainers and grab your lead,and head out there! Remember, how I said they’re always there. Well, that is what makes them such great company. They will go for those walks, they will play in the garden with you and they’ll even cuddle up on the couch with you. If you do let your dog sit on the couch I recommend putting a blanket down for them so that they don't scratch the furniture. The reason that I got my dog is because my Mum had gotten ill with cancer. As she was at home all day and wanted some company. So, my dog Nala (named after the Lion King and not Zoe Sugg's pug!) was there for my Mum throughout the day to go on walks with, watch TV with and even to talk to. Then after my Mum passed away, Nala was there to hug whenever I felt down and gave me a reason to get up in the mornings. She also missed my Mum and would sit on the couch in my Mum's spot. But be prepared that if you do decide to get a dog they aren’t all cuddles and fluff. There is lots of hard work that goes into caring for them, such as those daily walks, trips to the vets and picking up poop. So remember with great power comes great responsibility. JoshHi my name is Josh and I’m new to TWE. Seeing as I love writing and my dogs I thought why not put the two together and help you find the perfect pet pal!! Also, as this was a collaborative piece it was a great opportunity for me to meet other members of TWE and their furry friends. These two are Tiger Lily and Nala!! They're my dogs Nala (on the right) is a Shitpoo and Lily (the happy one on the left) is a Cavapoo. As these two are both quite small and fluffy dogs they are perfect for cuddling up on the sofa with.  This is Menna's dog. He is a Cocker Spaniel. These dogs are very social, however if you don’t train them properly they can become very fearful. Proper training is important for all types of pets to ensure they live a happy life.  This is Alex. He is a German Shepherd and he belongs to Weronika. These are large dogs typically associated with the idea of being police dogs, despite their ability to get on great within the home.  This is Ebony's partner's Cockapoo called Charlie. Not only is he adorable but cockapoos are highly energetic dogs so they will need lots of mental and physical activities, to keep them constantly occupied.  Kenzie has a cat who is also called Nala!! Unlike dogs, cats like their independence and so caring for one won’t be as demanding but they won’t say no to a belly rub.  And lastly we have Sid the bunny who belongs to Katie. Due to their small size these adorable balls of fluff will need to be kept in a pen whilst you’re away to make sure that they don’t escape!!  Choosing the correct pet is a big decision that requires lots of patience and lots of thought. But after all that work you will have found yourself a friend for life!!
- Josh I, like many people, love animals; I always have. Because of this, I’ve always loved having pets and obviously, I’m not unique because of that. Millions and millions of people around the world have a pet, the most common being dogs and cats. But, sometimes people rush into buying a pet that they aren’t ready for, and this can be really harmful. It’s important to do your research when buying any animal. Realize that it’s a commitment, and although your pet will just be a part of your life, to your pet, you are their entire life. This is especially true for animals that show more affection and need attention. I have had experiences with a wide variety of animals, but before I comment on my experience, please remember that every animal is different and unique. They are all individual lives that have personalities formed by both their natural disposition as well as the experiences they’ve had. Please also note that I’m from the United States, and this means that the pets available to me are different than what may be available in other countries. Okay, so now that all the disclaimers are done, Let’s get to it! Dogs: Dogs are very popular pets, and for good reason. If the dog was raised right, they’ll be loving and even protective of their owner. There are a lot of different breeds and mixes, making them have some very unique looks and personalities. It’s the dream of many children to get their very own dog, but there’s plenty of responsibilities to consider.
Cats: Cats are also very popular pets and, like dogs, they have a wide variety of personalities. Some are very cuddly, and some are very playful! Cats are different than dogs, however, in that they don’t always want to be with you. They tend to have more of their own will, and if you aren’t prepared to respect their wishes, you probably shouldn’t get a cat. It can be said that cats are like an exercise in consent, because they’ll make it clear when they feel that you’re being overbearing. As I mentioned earlier, they have a wide variety of personalities, so if you want a cat to cuddle with, make sure to meet different cats and find the best fit. Responsibilities for cats and dogs can be very similar, but there are some key differences as well.
With both cats and dogs, adopting from a shelter could give a home to an animal that really needs one. And, although you may be tempted to get a cute puppy or kitten, getting an adult animal means that you already know their personality and you’re adopting a slightly less adoptable animal. The same goes for cats and dogs with disabilities. These animals will almost always make just as wonderful a companion as abled animals, but they aren’t adopted as often and go large parts of life without a loving home. With all this in mind- knowing your goals, knowing the responsibilities, and being ready to give a home to a cat or dog- I’m sure you can make the right choice.
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Teenagers With Experience is an online organisation created to provide teenagers worldwide with an online platform to share their own experiences to be able to help, inform and educate others on a variety of different topics. We aim to provide a safe space to all young people.
Please note that the content on this website is created by teenagers. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, it is important to remember that we are not professional experts. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional advice, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a helpline. |