Are You the Pet for Me?: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Most children, at one time or another, will ask, even plead, for a pet. And their parents, eager to give their kids what they want, will give in, too often focusing on the cute and fluffy aspects and all but ignoring the realities of pet ownership. In Are You the Pet for Me? author Mary Jane Checchi spells out not only what's in store for you as the potential pet owner, but also--and perhaps more importantly--what type of animal is best suited to your family, and even whether or not you and your kids are cut out for a pet at all. Beginning with the basics of what pet ownership can do for your family, including the opportunity for kids to learn responsibility and experience the rewards of animal companionship, Checchi moves on to the all-important step of choosing the right pet for your child. This process involves weighing your family's pet resources--such as money (visits to the vet aren't free), time, space (do you have a fenced yard large enough for a dog?), and health issues (dog and cat dander can wreak havoc on certain allergy sufferers)--against the characteristics of the animal you're considering, including size (just how big will that lovely iguana get?), personality traits, energy level (a terrier in need of two trips to the off-leash park every day doesn't fit very well with the family who's away from home for hours on end), and level of adult supervision needed when the child is present. Finally, Checchi offers helpful advice on bringing your pet home and keeping your kids and their new little furry or feathered friend safe, making Are You the Pet for Me? a valuable tool in making one of the most important decisions in your and your potential pet's life.
Book Description
Parents often buy pets when their child asks (or begs) for one, only to discover--too late--that they have made a huge mistake. The dog eats shoes, the cat sheds, the fish tank smells--and Mom or Dad ends up doing most of the chores. Even the most well-intentioned child may not be ready for the responsibility of caring for a pet--and even the most adorable pet may not be the right fit for your family. How can parents give their children the joy and companionship of a pet without courting disaster? Now, in clear, compassionate language, author Mary Jane Checchi helps parents choose the right pet for their families.
Some of the many issues she discusses are:
-MONEY: will the initial cost and continuing maintenance of the pet put you in the dog house?
-TIME: how long will it take to feed, walk, or groom the pet, or clean its living space?
-PERSONALITY: would your child do best with a pet that's noisy or quiet; calm or excitable; independent or trainable?
-PET PEEVES: can your family and home withstand a pet that shed, barks, smells, chirps, or climbs the curtains?
Covering all the bases of pet ownership, and examining the pros and cons of the many kinds of pets available, this informative book helps parents and kids decide...
Are You the Pet For Me?
Are You the Pet for Me?: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family
Are You the Pet for Me?: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family,Mary Jane Checchi,Mary Jane Checci,St. Martin's Press,0312967934,Animals,Animals / Pets,Pets,Reference,Selection,Parenting & Families
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