An inadvertent bonus of the coronavirus quarantine is the perfect environment to train and get to know a new pet

Adopting a pet can be one of the most exciting yet nerve-racking things. One major problem with
adopting, especially for someone with a busy schedule, is the need to spend plenty of time with the new
pet. An inadvertent bonus of the coronavirus quarantine is the perfect environment to train and get to
know a new pet.
On the Humane Society website, they go into detail regarding the important steps for introducing a pet
into a new home, one of them being to set aside a few days to acclimate the pet. Many people have
taken advantage of their time in quarantine to decide to add a new member to their family. One of
these is Central High Junior, Allyson Radke.
After a little over a month of quarantine, Radke and her mother decided that they wanted to give a dog
a loving home.
“We decided to apostles during quarantine because I was bored. I wasn’t seeing my friends and I really
didn’t have anything to do. I talked to my mom and she thought it was a good idea, so we did it. It
seemed like the best time to get a dog for both of us,” said Radke.
The family ended up adopting a toy size Yorkshire terrier named Doja. They were able to get her from a
breeder in Grand Island, but Radke said, “I would have liked to get a dog from the Humane Society, but
my mom is really picky about dogs. I think it’s great way to help out the community.”
Being able to spend plenty of time with their pet has allowed the family to grow closer than they would
have if they were not in quarantine. Radke states that potty training and getting Doja acclimated has
been easier because they are able to spend almost all of their time with her.
One downside of adopting during this time would be a possible separation issue between a pet and its
owner. Once they have spent almost all of their time with a person, the pet might become anxious and
distressed when their owner returns to work. It is advised that pet owners still spend time away from
their animals to prevent this from happening.
When asked whether she prevented a separation anxiety, Radke said, “In the beginning we were with
her almost all the time, but eventually we started leaving the house more. It used to just be going to the
store or something, yet I think even that helped. After a few months my mom and I started going back
to work and to dance. We didn’t intentionally prevent separation anxiety, but we did by accident.”
Despite the hard times Radke and many other families have had to endure during 2020, they still
managed to find love and happiness with a new furry friend.
“I’m so glad my mom let us adopt Doja. She made everything happening right now just a little bit easier
to handle. I wouldn’t change anything for the world,” Radke stated