About six years ago, I nearly added myself to the shameful statistics of people who abandoned their dogs.

Like many first-time dog owners, I could not resist my shih tzu's beseeching brown puppy eyes at the pet shop and bought it on impulse. Prior to getting it, I was absolutely clueless on typical canine behaviour, as well as how to take care of dogs. I had to learn the hard way.

Besides infecting me with mites the very first week, it was chewing my furniture to shreds and defecating indiscriminately on my rugs and carpets. Driven to sheer frustration, I was on the verge of returning it to the pet shop when a friend serendipitously told me: 'Dogs are not toys; you can't throw them away on a whim.'

I was really ashamed of myself and vowed to be a responsible dog owner from then on. But responsibility comes at a price: Annual licence fees are now $70. Its food costs about $50 a month (for a small dog), while grooming sets us back by more than $50 a few times a year, not to mention the weekly hour-long baths with special antiseptic shampoo that costs twice as much as mine.

It was, and still is, a magnet for all kinds of canine ailments, especially skin, eye and ear allergies and infections which have seen us going to the vet umpteen times. In addition, it gets an annual check-up and vaccination at the vet's.

Rain or shine, we bring it downstairs three times a day for it to answer the call of nature, as well as to exercise. Fortunately, we have a maid who helps us take care of it, especially during our holidays - otherwise, we would have to send it to a pet boarding hostel. And the list of responsibilities goes on.

What do we get in return? It is an unwaveringly loyal companion who wakes me each day with frenzied tail-wagging and greets us, frantic with joy, when we return home. It is a little shadow who follows us faithfully around the house and delights us endlessly with its antics. In short, it has sort of become a member of the family.

Dogs are a godsend, but only if we have the resources and ability to take care of them.

Maria Loh Mun Foong (Ms)