Book excerpt: Every child wants a pet from the moment they first lay eyes on a furry little kitten or puppy, they probably want one for themselves and yet the process of getting and teaching your child how to raise that pet can be quite complex. However, the experience can be enormously useful in teaching them life skills that will one day help them better understand responsibility and proper care for others. But, how do you balance all of that in those first crucial days? This book provides a detailed walk through of how best to acclimate a child to raising a pet and ensuring the pet you get your child is one they can handle and that will thrive in their care. You will learn how to begin the process of selecting the right pet for your family and your child. You will be walked through the detailed process of understanding your child s personality type and coming to terms with their maturity level and the pets that best match that maturity level. You will learn what specific needs the most common pets need, including food, water, outside care, and additional medical needs and costs. You will learn the average life spans, common diseases, and other issues that might affect your child s pet, and how to handle these situations with your child. Dozens of hours of interviews have been conducted with top pet and child psychology experts to provide detailed information about what children need to understand most before getting their own pet. You will learn how to discuss the important of responsibility and how to monitor their actions. You will learn how to maintain the pet s health and how to recognise warning signs if your child becomes overwhelmed. For anyone who has a child yearning for a pet that is wondering if they are ready, this book is designed for you.