A dog can be a good companion but also a lot of trouble. Like humans they can have a lot of health concerns which can be not only expensive to treat but also heart wrenching for owners. When considering the cost of having a pet be sure to remember the cost of food, vet checkups, vaccinations (these are so very important), boarding if you travel and grooming (if you are unable to do so yourself)

If you have gone over those things, I like the suggestion of borrowing a dog for a short time to see if it is something you like. I love my dogs dearly but they are messy creatures who knock things over and dig through the trash which causes me a lot of extra housework.

I wish you the best of luck in making this decision, becoming a dog owner can be very rewarding and well worth all the trouble but you should definitely know what you are getting yourself into before making the plunge.