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A dog depends on its human owners for care, conditioning and love.
This dependency is rewarded many times over with the dog’s
unquestioned devotion and heart-felt affection. A dog quickly
becomes a family member and as such it must be able to fit in with
the family’s lifestyle. If it is the wrong breed of dog, brought
home for the wrong reason, and/or one that fails to meet your
expectations, then instead of the animal becoming a beloved member
of the family, it could become a burden and an outcast. With careful
consideration about the needs and requirements of different breeds
and thought as to how this pertains to your own lifestyle, the end
result will be four-legged loving companion that will bring you much
joy and happiness for years to come.
There are 147 different AKC recognized breeds of dogs. They come
in many shapes and sizes. Some breeds have long hair, others are
short-haired; some need lots of room to run, others just a small
yard; some require laps to sit in, others are more independent.
Before bringing a dog home to become a part of your family, you
should ask yourself the following questions and write down the
answers. Then seek a dog that best meets your responses.
A PUPPY
- do you know how big it will grow?
- do you have enough room, both inside and outside, to meet
its exercise needs?
- do you know how active it will be?
- will its temperament and personality fit your own?
- will it constantly need attention?
- do you have the time to train the puppy?
- is it easy to housebreak?
- are you prepared to forego other activities in order to tend
to the pup’s needs?
- can you afford the necessary vaccinations and visits to the
veterinarian?
AN ADULT DOG
- can you provide sufficient daily exercise routines for the
dog?
- do you have time to spend taking care of the dog’s emotional
needs?
- are there special dietary needs?
- are there any health problems that you should consider and
be aware of?
- do you have a safe place to keep the dog when you are not at
home?
- will its coat require special care and professional
grooming?
ARE YOU PREPARED
- spend quality time with the dog.
- make personal sacrifices in order to see to the dog’s needs.
- feed, groom and house it properly.
- be forgiving if it goes to the bathroom where it should not.
- deal with dog hair.
- take it to training classes, if necessary.
- treat the dog as a four-legged member of your family.
- accept the responsibilities of dog ownership.
POSITIVE REASON TO OWN A DOG
- a companion who asks no questions, makes no judgments.
- someone who loves you regardless of who you are, what you do
or how much money you have in the bank.
- to come home to a presence that immediately fills the room
with love and devotion when you walk through the door.
- To live a life that is mindful while being minded, loving
while being loved, and caring while being cared for.
In short, dogs are man’s best friends and most
faithful companions, but they do bring with them responsibilities
and obligations that must be considered by anyone thinking about
getting a dog. |
