I know this is ideal but circumstances can change over a decade of owning a pet. I have regrets over an old family dog that we neglected due to financial strain (parents) and academic stress (kids). We loved that dog to death and we failed her. Our biggest mistake was believing that big dogs belong outside because that was the cultural norm, but the current family dog gets to come wherever we are. I guess the point is people aren’t perfect and we make mistakes and hopefully we learn to be better.