Pets cost more than money

Dogs are fun, especially in pairs.

I got Roxy, a shepherd crossed with black Labrador, Oct. 30 on an impulsive shopping binge when she was six weeks old. She was cute and I instantly loved her. The next day I was asked to move out of my house because she violated my lease. I agreed and my landlord was nice enough to allow me a few days to move into another place.

Roxy is an attention addict and has no problem rubbing a slobber-drenched toy on your bare leg.

She is afflicted with a height complex. Short people, also known as children, horrify her. She tends to run in the other direction and spy from a distance.

Her most recent escapade involved children stampeding by in the bleachers going for a foul ball at a Moses Lake Pirates baseball game. Ears cocked back and tail between her legs, she leapt into my boyfriend's arms needing a belly rub.

At least she wasn't embarrassed when everyone turned and laughed at her.

The second dog, Homer, just seems to be confused.

When he is given a toy, a bone or steals a sock, he doesn't chew on it as much as he whacks his head on it and rolls around on it.

I'm not sure what his name was, how old he is or what kind of dog he is because when I adopted him a couple months ago from Ephrata, he didn't really come with a lot of information except he was allegedly neglected.

He was underweight by about 20 pounds, ill, caked with urine and feces, scared and mean. He appeared to have an injury to his ribs that didn't heal correctly leaving a protruding bone and seems to have scars from lacerations on his snout.

The Ephrata Police Department advised his owner surrendered him because he was no longer wanted. He spent a lot of time on an 18-inch chain and his previous owner quit feeding him, according to the police department.

After Homer was given a bath, I realized he was a different color and had small brown spots.

He's gained back most of his weight, got neutered, learned to sit for treats and is house-trained.

His demeanor went from scared and mean to happy and clumsy. He still doesn't understand it makes me feel uncomfortable when my hand is lodged in his mouth. He spends a lot of time trying to walk around on his hind legs, jumping in people's faces. He loves being carried around. He thinks he is a lap dog.

I realize dogs are not people and I will not compare them to people because it's inappropriate but they do deserve proper care from those who adopt them.

It's irresponsible to dump animals into the streets as a means to be rid of them, because it becomes a problem for animal control officers and police who have more important issues to deal with. I'd rather have an officer respond to someone in danger rather than an animal running at large. It is a nuisance for citizens. It becomes an issue for taxpayers who pay for city and county animal services.

It's irresponsible to get rid of an animal because the owner is moving.

It's difficult. I understand why people think it's easy to give up a pet because you are in need of a home. But if you can't take the animal with you, find a home for it yourself. Don't make it someone else's problem.

It is easy to see a puppy and buy on impulse because they are small and cute. I did. But they grow up. I bet Homer was an adorable puppy with giant ears, but he got big. He might have been too much to handle for his previous owner.

Animals should be researched before purchase to determine their size, general demeanor, care needs and what is toxic to them.

A few days after I got Homer, I admit I couldn't stand him because he didn't obey, was very rowdy and wanted to bite me if I got too close to him. I didn't think he would learn anything because he is older. I was wrong. After a few weeks he got better because he was cared for appropriately. It took time and a lot of attention.

When buying a pet, there are costs to consider including vaccinations, booster shots, spaying and neutering fees, food, collars, shelter, toys, beds, doctor's visits and emergency doctor's visits including Roxy's emergency weekend enema. She ate a toy that didn't quite agree with her. I never expected that to happen but it's somewhat common.

It is easy to spend hundreds of dollars on bare necessities for a pet.

Be prepared when adopting animals and consider their need for attention and space to play and run.

Adopting an animal is a 10-to 20-year commitment.

Candice Boutilier is the Columbia Basin Herald's city reporter. Her coworkers believe Roxy and Homer are very lucky to have her as an owner.