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Are Active Athletes Too Busy For Pets?

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Sarah Swartz, Sports Writer
April 11, 2012
Filed under Sports

English poet William Blake once said, “The busy bee has no time for sorrow.” But do they have time for pets? Many athletes already know how much time sports can take up in one’s life. Does this have an effect on how much time and effort you can put into a pet at home?

Ms. Lindsay Beill, of Ionia County Animal Care and Control, states the values a responsible pet owner should attain. “Caring for a pet takes a lot of dedication and time,” Beill says. “Before adopting off an animal, I give a type of adoption survey to make sure the animal will fit into the home. It’s heartbreaking to see animals neglected so I do my best to find good homes where people are dedicated enough to completely care for their pet.”

A three-sport-athlete, Erika Ketchum, has this to say about her lack of furry friends.”My family is very involved in sports and we stay very busy. We are never home to take care of pets. Animals deserve tender love and care. If we’re not home to give it that, it doesn’t deserve to be ignored.” When asked about her interest in pets in the future, Erika states, “I definitely would like a dog when I have time for one–a golden retriever.”

There are also athletes with families that include a pet. Joanna Miller, a sophomore sportsperson here at IHS, when talking about her dog, Ellie, notes, “Now that I’ve joined soccer this year, I find myself not being able to take her on walks after school like I used to. I do stay busy, but I still love to come home to Ellie and know that she’s always around.”

Being involved in one sport, not to mention multiple, is very time consuming and self-exhausting. Pets are a big part of some people’s live, so there are also many athletes who can handle fitting in time for a pet at home. According to APPA (Animal Pet Products Association), about 62 percent of American households contain at least one pet. For an athlete with a demanding schedule, a supportive family who will help with the chores and care of an affable animal is the most helpful gift you can receive if a furry friend is on your wish list. Whether you’re constantly on the go or a couch potato, the love, dedication, affection, time and money it takes to care for a pet is what you always need to keep in mind.