Pet Peeves About Pet Owners

Those who know me, know that I am a huge dog lover. Even if you don't know me, I'm sure you can figure that fact out about me seeing that I have 6 dogs. I didn't mean to start out with 6 dogs. It started with one, then another, then another. Then a stray came along and we couldn't find her owners. Then another stray, and again, couldn't find her owners. Then another that I got on purpose. Owning any kind of pet can be great for you and the pet. But you must use common sense when owning a pet. Lately I have seen more and more pet owners not using any common sense at all. So here is just a short list of some of my pet peeves on pet owners.

1. If you aren't going to be in it for the long haul, don't get a pet! It's that simple. If you do get a pet and decide it's not for you, find another home for it. Your local vet may even be able to help you do that. Whatever you do, don't just drive out into the country and dump the poor thing (I'm pretty sure this is how I ended up with my 2 strays, along with some cats that I have found homes for)!
2. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER pick a dog, cat, whatever up by their collar, then try to laugh it off, saying, "That's how it's mom picks it up." NO! A mother dog/cat/whatever does NOT pick a baby up by the collar! It picks the baby up by the scruff of the neck, which is a hell of a lot different. Picking the baby up by the neck doesn't put pressure on the front of the baby's throat, choking them. Picking them up by the collar and carrying them around is animal cruelty!
3. If you get mice coming into your home trying to find warmth from the cold nights, DO NOT PUT OUT MOUSE POISON! Even if you put it in a place your pet can not reach, the mice move around after they eat the poison. If you pet finds the mouse after it dies, it will want to investigate it, maybe even eat it. If you do have mice, there are several different options out there other than poison. Use some common sense. If you wouldn't put it around your children, then don't put it around your pets.
4. If you are not a pet person, then don't get a pet. Not even if your young children beg and beg you for one. Nine times out of ten, YOU will be the one that ends up taking care of that animal, not the kids. Same goes for it you like one kind of pet, but not another. DO NOT get the type of pet you don't like. For example, my kids keep asking for a cat. I am not a cat person. I think they are cute and all, but I really don't like them. Therefore, I will not get a cat. If you aren't a dog person, then don't get a dog.
5. Baby puppies/kittens/etc chew! Don't be surprised by this fact. They chew because they are teething (just alike a human baby does). They chew because it's their way of playing. They chew because it's their way of investigating objects. If you don't want them chewing on your things, then invest in a few chew toys for them (you can get some from the dollar store even ).