When I got my puppy two years ago, part of the reasoning was that she would be a good excuse to get out and exercise more. My health wasn't great at the time.

Before getting a dog, make sure you can handle the level of care it will need. A puppy can be a lot of stress on an already weakened household. My health completely fell apart for her first ten months, and the pup did not get the exercise she needed. She is a Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd mix and needs a solid 2-5 miles of running at top speed every day to be happy. During her formative year, I spent 17 hours of every day in bed. I still juggled two young children and a 30 hour-a-week job, so guess who was low on the priority list?

Getting a dog won't improve your health unless you're committed to changing your activity level. If you do get one, they are great companions and can really lift your spirits when you're feeling crappy. I would suggest getting a breed that isn't too tiny (short legs don't fancy long brisk walks) and doesn't run faster than the speed of light (you want a dog you can walk at a good clip with and not feel like you're holding it back or dragging it along).

Because mine requires so much exercise and is a lot faster than I am, I often run her while I'm on my bike, or I stand around a field while she runs after balls. When we go for walks, she dashes up and down the path while I saunter. Either way, I don't have to break a sweat. I love to watch her, though; she climbs playground equipment and 30 foot-high rocks, and is gorgeous when she's running full-out. But I don't have a prayer of matching her energy level!

She is now two years old. I don't exercise much more than I did before I got her. I AM braver about where I go, because she's got a great big bark and is good protection. But my health is not significantly improved and my dog misses out on her run several times a week when I'm having an off day.

I wouldn't trade my dog for the world. But I feel guilty at least once a week for getting her when I couldn't meet all her needs.