Many think of getting a pet as a way to deepen their commitment as a couple. Nurturing an animal teaches invaluable skills. Through the shared responsibilities couples hone their communication, teamwork, and ability to compromise. Deciding to co-parent a furbaby is often looked at as training wheels for marriage and eventually children. A study done by the University of Buffalo found that pet-owning couples were closer and were able to handle stress better than their pet-less counterparts. But how do you know when you are truly ready to take that step?It’s fairly embarrassing, but I go dog-crazy for every little fluff-ball I see on the street and spend my free-time scouring the internet for cute animal videos. My patient BF (the owner of one cat) has grown accustomed to keeping me from walking into traffic every time a cute dog passes on the street.

We dog-sit for friends and neighbors, and though there are sacrifices we must make when watching these pups, it is also extremely rewarding. While we would love to have a pooch of our own, we haven’t yet made any concrete plans, because we know what a huge life-changing decision it can behere are so many positive reasons to get a pet, one can be blinded to some of the challenges. Before contacting breeders or adoption agencies, it’s important for you and your S.O. to take a sobering look at how this new addition might affect your relationship and change your lives. Having a furbaby means extra responsibility and pressure on the two of you, which can lead to some growing pains. Of course, caring for an animal brings more love and joy to your life, but it is important to be sure you both are on the same page before taking the pet plunge. A few things to consider when deciding to get a pet: