The big am-I-ready-for-a-puppy check

It's raining puppies in my area. Corona seems to have swept all the downsides off the table with a big swoop. Cozy and the best remedy against a corona depression, but it could still be a worrying development. There is breeding going on wildly, where making quick money is much more important than the well-being of the dog, and what will happen to all those cute puppies when we are back to work? Therefore, no matter how strong the urge, let's take a moment for the big do-I-want-a-puppy?-checklist.

1. Forever
That might be the most important question you need to ask yourself. Right now, you're swimming in that ocean of time, but how will that be in six months? Will you be able to take at least one long walk every day?

2. Puppies poop
A small poodle looks like a toy animal, but it throws up on your rug, chews on your cabinet, and poops on your pouf, so not everything that glitters is gold in puppy land.

3. Up early
Puppies wake up early because that little bladder isn't trained yet. So sleeping in because you don't have travel time now, that idea doesn't apply here.

4. No Marketplace puppies
There are dog breeds du jour and there is a waiting list for them because those dogs are bred with care. If you want such a special purebred dog: be patient until you can buy a puppy from a recognized breeder, but please do not buy a dog through Marketplace. If you want a dog now, please go to the shelter to rescue an animal that really needs an owner. Maybe not as hunkydory cute as a puppy, but hey, you can sleep in and it is already house-trained.

5. Who fits you?
Every dog has its own wishes and characteristics. Don't just look at appearance, but also try to uncover the characteristics of a particular dog so you can be sure that this type of dog fits you. A Weimaraner, for example, really, really, really needs a lot of attention, needs to be challenged, and requires long walks. Honestly assess whether you can give the dog what it needs.

And then a nice side effect: shopping for your dog. Here are some over-the-top accessories.