Getting a New Pet - Be Mindful

BECOMING A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN TO OUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS

Adding a pet to the family is a serious, long-term commitment. It's a decision that needs input from everyone who would be involved in caring for the animal. Who will play with your new pet, feed and walk her/him daily? A pet needs attention and love EVERY DAY, not when it is convenient for you.

Too many people see celebrities carrying their Chihuahuas or other small breeds in their purse or bag. These pets are not an accessory. They are a living creature that deserves the dignity and care we'd want for any of our human loved ones. Often the latest blockbuster movie has everyone running out to purchase "that breed", but then in a short period of time, the novelty wears off and our shelters become inundated with Chihuahuas, Yellow Labs, Dalmatians, bunnies, Persian cats, potbelly pigs, etc.

There is responsibility in having an animal companion. The very first challenge is: Are you choosing the right breed for your entire family? You have to consider temperament, size, safety and general compatibility with EVERYONE in the home.

Who will bathe your pet? Who will administer the monthly flea repellant? Could someone be allergic to the pet? What is the cost of neutering and spaying? Why is this a good thing to do?

Please think about how much will it cost to feed them.

Questions like:

Where do I buy quality food to feed my pet? Do I know how to read a label on the pet food or treats to make sure they are the best for my animal's health? Do I honestly know what is in my pet's food? Premium quality food reduces your vet costs as they get fewer allergies, diseases and ailments.

How much money will it cost me annually for proper veterinary care? NOTE: Consider the age and any known condition of health at the time you have taken on care for your new pet. Older pets are often great to get, consider your emotions and how long this pet will be in your life. Do they have any physical conditions that will cost me more at the vet? Senior animals seem to not get as easily adopted...please consider it. They are already mellow and can be less effort to train. Who would look after the animal during my trips and vacations? You cannot leave most animals alone without at least partial human daily supervision.

Where to obtain your pet:

Instead of buying a puppy or kitten as a gift, consider looking into and possibly waiting to adopt a pet from a local shelter or breed- specific rescue group. You could give a loved one a "gift certificate" from a local shelter, or a stuffed animal representing a shelter pet. Shelters too often carry the brunt of too many decisions that are made unconsciously resulting in rejected animals being "returned". They are Not disposable items!

Just say "no!" to buying at the pet stores:

Many pet stores purchase their animals from "puppy mills": mass-breeding operations so bent on making a profit that they often disregard the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the animals in their facilities. Puppy mill-raised animals can suffer from neglect such as severe physical and emotional ailments, and some may even die.

NOTE: Puppy mills-The only way to put these facilities out of business is to hit them where it hurts: in the wallet. Don't purchase an animal from a pet store.

SHELTERS ARE THE WAY TO GO:

So instead of supporting the puppy mills or paying for a breeder to produce a live creature to be born 'just for you!'... head to your local animal shelter and breed-specific rescue group, which are wonderful places to find a new pet. Nationwide dogs and cats in shelters can be purebred, and there are millions of healthy mixed breed animals currently awaiting good homes. Most of these shelter animals have already been spayed or neutered, and have received all their vaccinations and up-to-date veterinary checkups.

No need to be impulsive or uninformed. This is a life; a live being you are taking on, and you want to be the best you can be for your animal companion. Ask yourself: AM I BEING A RESPONSIBLE PET PARENT?

Often, when the owner decides the pet is not that cute anymore, or too much work, or they just weren't ready for the responsibility, it is often the local shelter that takes in these animals. We need to remember that pets can't simply be returned or discarded like a broken toy.

Because so many shelters are already filled to capacity, unless other animals are adopted out to make room for the new ones, euthanasia is a possible ending to an already sad tale. It is heartbreaking and unnecessary if we humans all took responsibility in the first place.

Please think it through. Too many wonderful creatures are returned to shelters, as people just don't realize the responsibility of being a good pet owner and making a lifetime commitment. It will cost you money and time.

There will be bumps in the road like any relationship. Will you willing clean up their vomit? Clean their kitty litter daily? Clean the birdcage? Give a reptile the proper size environment? Is your child kind to small creatures? Do you have the patience to teach them how to be kind and properly care for your new pet?

You must be diligent about teaching your small child proper handling of your new animal companion.

A Personal Tail:

I once rescued a Pomeranian that was 5+ years old. She had been bred for 5 years of her life and "tossed out" after that. That is when I found her at a breed-specific rescue center. Somehow these sweet pets know they are being rescued; she was one of the most appreciative animals I ever had. Well behaved but a little skittish at the beginning. She was kept in a confined area when she was a "breeder" and it took her awhile to get used to her new home where with me she had freedom to move around physically and explore more, and the consistent love and attention was new for her. It took her almost a year to trust the situation and "relax" into her new home.

Give them time...they will figure it out. Rescues make wonderful companions!

All this for exchange of one of the best relationships you will have in your life. You will be rewarded with unconditional love like you have never known.

Be a responsible pet owner, your heart will be filled and you and your pet will be forever grateful to you!

Dogs Are Great Pets!

I don't know about you but I believe that if you wanted to look at having a pet, I suggest that you take consider having dogs as your pet. Why is that so? Is it true that dogs are men's best friend? Why would having them as pets be a good choice? Who is not suitable for ownership?

Let's look at each question now.

It is true that dogs are men's best friend. You, they are often passionate and are very loyal to their owners. You may think that this is overly dramatized in movies like 101 Dalmatians or Fluke. However, these behavior are real and only owners can tell you that this is real.

Dogs will make a good choice for most people. Most of the owners are either young couples, established families and older folks. For the young couples, some rear dogs because it's their signature of love. For the families, it's a way to give their kids an avenue to care for animals. For the older folks, it serves as a companion and even protection.

While dogs are serves as great pets, there are some downsides of dog ownership.

Be prepared for long ownership - Dogs do live a pretty long life, most of them have a lifespan of at least 10 years. If you do not have the commitment, DO NOT own dogs. Otherwise, if you are tired of the dogs and you leave them in the streets are stray dogs, you can be liable. So, think twice before you own a dog.

Dog ownership can be costly - Depending on the breed you are taking, owning a dog could mean an increase in your monthly expenditure. Expect to spend at least a couple of hundreds extra every month and that is normal expenses. Top pedigree dog owners can spend over thousands every month!

Health issues - Some people are allergic to dog's fur. And, if you have dogs with thick furs like a Collie or Golden Retriever, you must take extra care of their hairs. Otherwise, they may grow ticks and cause problems. One of the dangerous health issues is Tick Paralysis, which can cause death to dogs.

So, do you want to own a dog? If you have made careful consideration, go and own one! I'm sure that you will love your decision!

Things You Should Consider Before Adopting a Pet

You're thinking about adopting a pet and you are excited about it. You don't know many things about pets, only that they are cute and loving companions. So you go and get Flippy or Daisy and you bring them home. Then you realize that you don't know much about pets and start asking questions. Too late! Questions should be asked before bringing a pet at home. Pet ownership is for a lifetime!

Many people don't have a clue about the responsibilities related with pet ownership. They may have good intentions but they soon realize that having a pet at home is not as easy as they thought it would be and this revelation can often lead to tragedy.

Most people, either children or adults want a pet because they find it "cute" They watch movies, TV shows with adorable baby animals, which by the way are already trained and their desire for a pet is getting bigger. Usually their desire is directed to a puppy or a kitten, (often a specific breed) and finally they bring it at home. Everyone is happy and wants to take the furry little thing in their lap, cuddle it and play with it.

When the issue comes to who's going to take care of it, then the excitement wears off since nobody wants to do it.

People who never had a pet don't have the slightest idea of how it is to take care of one. They think it's easy, put some food and water in their bowls twice a day and that's it. Their new furry friend will be playful and happy whenever they want. After all, how much trouble can a loving little thing cause?

Surprise, surprise!

A pet in your house is like a child in your house. In fact at some point your child grows up and doesn't need your care any more, they become independent and leave your house to live on their own. The same thing won't happen with your pet. Your pet will always be a child that will require your attention and care as long as it is with you. So, there are a lot of things to consider before taking the serious decision of adopting a pet.

Getting a pet is not like buying a car. It's a living creature so if you don't get along it is not easy to get rid of it of change it for something else. When you adopt a pet you become the animal's "parent" as long as it lives. You must keep in mind that, a dog for example has an average life expectancy of 14-15 years. So, for the next 14-15 years or so, it will be your responsibility!

It's like having a baby at home. You can't send it back because it doesn't meet your expectations or because it's different than what you thought it would be. Or can you? I hope not. The same kind of responsibility must be in your minds when you are thinking of getting a pet.

A pet is not a video game. You don't just shut it down when you're finished playing with it and expect it to just sit waiting for you until you decide to come back. Puppies are like young children. They need a lot of sleep but when they are not asleep they are wondering around the house looking for fun! A puppy who's just started growing teeth will find a lot of fun and pleasure in chewing your favourite shoes or slippers. At this point many people start losing their patience and instead of finding a way to divert the puppy's attention to something else, they get rid of it in an animal shelter, or worse they abandon it in the streets. The only crime of the puppy was in fact that it was a puppy! Puppies are not destructive and naughty just because they want to make you furious. It's just what they do. If you are considering of getting one you must rearrange your home first, so the puppy will not have access to things you don't want to be destroyed. Another good idea is buying a lot of chew toys. You can be sure that the puppy will choose them instead of your shoes.

Another important issue to consider is which breed you are fond of and would like to obtain. Every breed has special characteristics and even though you'd love to get a puppy of a certain breed, this may not be the right one for you. There are certain things to consider, for instance will it be easy to train, will it be a shy dog or a hyperactive that will require many walks during the day, will there be any health problems with the breed you chose, etc. You may adore a Labrador or a German Shepherd but if you live in a small apartment, maybe you should reconsider. Large dogs require space to run and play and they'll feel depressed in a confined space. Also some large breeds develop back or hip problems that will require extra health care especially when they are getting older.

Pets also cost money to raise and maintain, just like children do. You must buy pet food, pay several bills to the vet when your beloved friend needs vaccines or medical care, monthly expenses such as heartworm and flea control and maybe grooming bills. You must also remember that you'll have extra costs when you leave for vacation and leave the animal in a pet hotel. My point is, if you're not fully aware of the cost of having an animal, maybe you should reconsider. Of course they worth every penny you'll spend for them and they'll pay you back with their unconditioned love, but still you should know all about it.

Another thing you must consider is neutering-spaying your pet. If you don't plan on breeding it, you must go to a vet and have it neutered-spayed. There are a lot of people who don't like depriving sex from their pet. Don't think like them! It is a fact that if you don't get your pet neutered while being young there will be many problems in the future and most important, health problems. If you don't spay your female dog, it's quite possible to develop cancer in its uterus in later life.

Many male or female dogs become short-tempered and anxious because they are not allowed to mate and this is against their nature.

Some people think that they can solve this problem if they allow their dog to mate at least once. Some others like the idea of having a puppy of their dog before being spayed. I strongly disagree with these tactics. First it is very irresponsible to allow pets to reproduce without control. Overpopulation in pets is a very serious problem. Every year 10-12 million pets are euthanized by shelters because they can't find homes for them. Why would anyone of you want to add to this number? Second, dogs should be neutered-spayed before they sexually mature in order to avoid health problems in the future. If you think I'm lying, just ask a vet..

To make a long story short, if you plan to obtain a pet, be responsible and have it neutered-spayed. You may think that you'll earn money by selling the puppies, if you have a purebred. You must know though that there are no guarantees that you'll sell all the puppies and even if you do, you must consider that, for every puppy you sell, there's one waiting in a shelter somewhere and may die without being adopted.

The dog breeding business, has its responsible professionals but also its lousy ones. There are several puppy mills where the poor animals live in awful, unsanitary and crowded conditions. Many breeders just don't care even a little bit about their health. These breeders mate males and females from the same litter and this can cause several health problems later in the life of the dog. For example many Dalmatians suffer from deafness due to inbreeding.

So, why are you looking so badly for a purebred and you doing not consider getting a mixed breed? They are also very cute and much healthier but still, they are not people's first choice.

Why not adopt a pet from the Humane Society or your local SPCA? At least you can give them a chance even if what you really want is a specific breed. There are several advantages if you adopt an adult dog from a shelter or from one of the many breed-specific rescue operations. You can be sure that you've done a good deed by adopting a pet this way and you've saved it from being euthanized.

Some more useful thoughts...

-Don't ever consider giving a pet as a gift to someone, especially not a child. (Unless the child is yours and you clearly know that you'll be the pet's caregiver) Whoever is going to obtain a pet must do it on his own will and he must have considered everything about raising it.

-Don't bring live chicks or bunnies to your children as Easter gifts. It's cruel, they are small breathing creatures. Chicks grow into chicken, so unless you have a farm you shouldn't even think about buying one.

-Do learn what pet ownership is all about. You must have an idea about the cost, in terms of time and money. Also, a good thing to know is how getting a pet is going to change your style of life.

With all that I've mentioned above you must think that I'm not encouraging pet ownership. On the contrary, I LOVE animals, I have six dogs and two cats and I'm in a position to know what is this all about and speak about the responsibilities that pet owners should face. After all, I'm a pet owner myself. Having a pet is happiness but also means a lot of responsibilities and compromises in your private life. All I'm saying is that you should know all about it before making your decision. Pets may be very cute and sweet but trust me, they hide a lot of surprises, surprises you must be ready to deal with!

How To Choose Your Dog

So you've decided to grow your family. Chance meetings with dogs are on the increase. At the magazine stand a friendly pooch stares out of the pages at you. Late night reruns are suddenly awash with dogs - from Turner and Hooch to 101 Dalmatians! Even your friends are gushing about their new furred family addition! Your heart has been played and a dog it is. Now what? Where do you go to get a dog and how do you select one?

Your options are many and may be as simple as accepting a puppy as a gift from a friend who's just been blessed with a new litter. Chances are this is not going to be the case. Your choice should be governed by several considerations. Lets go over some of the logistics:

1. Have dogs always been part of your life? If so you can proceed with a slightly higher degree of certainty and comfort as to what you are looking for. More than likely you will want a dog of similar size, breed and temperament as the one you grew up with. If you've never owned a dog before, you may want to do some homework first.

2. Do you live in a house with a yard, a townhouse or a condominium? Although I have seen big dogs on city streets it is my opinion that they are best suited for a house with a yard. All dogs like to be played with but a big dog is best played with out in the yard where there is more room for him to romp around and run without having to be careful about furniture and furnishings. Small dogs on the other hand can play tug of war and other games in the house without disrupting your décor.

3. If the dog will be joining a family with young children you need to consider its temperament. It is no wonder that the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are a favored breed with families - they are at once protective, gentle and indulgent of small humans and incredibly forgiving of the prying and prodding of their tiny hands!

If on the other hand you and dog will form a family of two, you can opt for all kinds of other considerations. You probably have a breed in mind. If you want a purebred, go to a dog show or twol. Not only will you see some fine dogs of your preferred breed, but you can also compare them to other breeds of similar size. I remember when we were looking for a dog but were not sure whether we wanted a Rotweiler or a Weimeraner, we attended such a show and absolutely fell in love with an English Mastiff! I would never trade him! Ok. Big difference in size but it's a breed we would not have even thought of had we not seen one at a dog show.

4. Purebred or mutt? The advantage of a purebred is that you know what the puppy will grow up to look like and you know what its main characteristics are. A sheltie is a herding dog and very protective. A Shepherd or a Doberman make for good guard dogs. A mutt on the other hand, unless already grown, is more of a mystery. Of indeterminate breed(s), that cute little ball of fur may end up growing into quite a large dog with who knows what characteristics. A mutt, I have heard it said, is the true original dog - it is one of a kind, a true designer dog! A truly rare pedigree!

5. Breeder or the animal shelter? Definitely, if you have settled on a purebred, you want to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. There is probably a local breeder that you can visit. Your visit will tell you a lot about both the breeder and the dog you will bring home. Make sure the facilities are clean, the dogs well cared for and it would be good if you could have a reference or two.

Our animal shelters are overcrowded. Mostly mistakes, sometimes abandoned or just given up, these dogs make for excellent companions. Once again, if this dog is coming home to a family with young children, a puppy would probably be a better choice. If on the other hand, the children are older or its just you, an adult dog will give you just as much pleasure and joy. The advantage here is that it is probably already house trained and there are no surprises as to what it will look like when it is grown! Pound mutts come with a pedigree all their own and are much lighter on the wallet too!

Whatever your choice remember that this is a lifetime commitment. Bringing a dog into your life is not a spur of the moment decision. A dog is a life, it needs nurturing and loving, caring and giving. You'll be rewarded with sloppy kisses, adoration and unconditional love. Happiness is a two way street.

Dogs That Are Good With Children

Its true, dogs do play pivotal role in child development. Health care specialists have noticed after a nurse, Elaine Smith, introduced dog therapy as an alternative therapeutic treatment how dogs can play a major role not only in therapeutic treatment but also in child development.

Companionship can be critical to children and it was found out that dogs can readily and efficiently fill that spot. That's why it is often recommended that smaller growing children should have a pet of their own, if only to break barriers that inhibit growth like speech impediment. Or just instilling a sense of responsibility at an early age. And naturally, dogs that are good with children are best candidates for this purpose.

Being sought more as family pet, selective breeding practices over the years were aimed to iron out aggressive traits of some breeds of dogs. Now there are those breed of dogs are highly tolerant; they tolerate well the clumsy handling of older individuals and the rough handling and playing of small children. Those that have undergone training are able to resist any instinctive retaliation when pranks are played upon them - typical to small children at play. One example of a highly tolerant breed is mastiffs. A trained English mastiff can be very tolerant and gentle that it can suffer most rough playing before showing signs of aggression, and won't bite even then. Pointers are also famed for their low aggression level, though their playful nature can be harmful for very young toddlers. Another trite example is the St. Bernard.

Depending on the level of play of youngsters, there are suitable dogs and there that isn't. For growing children that loves playing outdoors, dogs that are good with children should be also adaptable for such activity. That's why Labradors, retrievers, Dalmatians and American Eskimos are better dogs. But for those especially young children, who are more cooped up indoors, a St. Bernard or a mastiff would do nicely.

In a nutshell, there are dozens of breed of dogs that are good with children. Examples include but not limited to mastiffs, pointers, and some mossolers like the St. Bernard, and conventional toy dogs like poodles. However, breed is not a de facto standard for naming dogs that are good with children, as training is highly essential for dogs of this purpose.

If you are considering dogs that are good with children, you should choose a breed that's normally with gentle temperament like those mentioned above. And they should have the right training.

Your Attitude, Is Your Dog a Match?

Each dog breed is known for certain basic characteristics - including temperament. As a result, you can rely on this information to help you choose a dog whose attitude and disposition match your own.

Some smaller dogs are known to be feisty and noisy, while some larger dogs are quiet and tranquil. One thing you need to know up front is that you're not going to get a dog to go contrary to his inherent instincts. So if you like the look of a certain breed, be prepared to live with the temperament of that breed once you take it home.

What kind of dog has an awful disposition? Answer? None if you're well matched to the dog. Behaviors that are irritating to one dog owner are no big deal to another. A person who's hyperactive won't mind a nippy miniature Poodle or Chihuahua that's just as hyperactive as they are. A quiet, studious person needs to have a calm, patient dog like the good natured, faithful Basset Hound.

Some dogs are considered by breeders to be difficult to train - such as the Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Dalmatian, Irish Setter and Bull Terrier. Not all dogs are man's best friends. Some are fiercely independent and care little about their owners.

These unsociable dog breeds can include Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman, Irish Terrier, Wire Haired Fox Terrier and Rottweiler. The unsociable dogs can be alert, independent, aggressive and good as watchdogs, but they're sometimes not optimal for training.

In other cases, the dog breed may have potential for training but the personality of the individual dog is more reluctant. Or that dog may have had a bad experience at the pet store from unkind or unskilled caregivers.

The dog is reacting tough to mask his fear of being harmed or neglected based on old memories. If that's your dog's experience, then you have to take more time to reassure him that you're trustworthy and will never harm him as a means of punishment during training.

Withholding a dog treat when the dog walks poorly on a leash is reasonable. Taking away his dinner is cruel and only teaches the dog to resent you and defy you as the only means of expression he has toward maltreatment.

Other times, there's no apparent reason for the dog's odd behavior. Becoming a dog owner doesn't come with guarantees. Sometimes you have a dog that is difficult to engage and you must either care for that dog or see that he has a proper home

Dogs Are Entertainment, Protection and Love

Dogs are a big part of my life. They keep me company while everyone is gone for the day. Our first dog and all of our dogs are Dalmatians; Blaze, Pepper, Sparkle and Grace. Blazed blessed us until she was sixteen. She thought she was the queen, she was four years old when we brought home our second her name was Pepper. Unfortunately Pepper died from epilepsy when she was four. She sang to us every day she was a great joy. We Miss them both. That brings us to Sparkle, my umbilical cord, she follows me twenty-four seven and when I leave she is waiting for me at the door when I get back. She's my girl I love her.

Blaze died and we searched and found a beautiful Dalmatian puppy. Her hearing test showed she was deaf. The owners were unable to sell any dog with a hearing problem. Puppies with defects have no value and are put down. This is a way to keep the gene from being passed down to the pups. This was heart breaking for us that this puppy, our puppy would be put down just because she is deaf. Sparkle who is great and also deaf and we trained with hand signals. We still wanted this puppy. How we are able to train and cared for our dogs was enough to convince them to let us have her. We sent them the documentation that she was spayed and that is the guaranty that she will never pass on the gene that causes deafness in some Dalmatians.

We brought home Sparkle home when Blaze was eight. Blaze was the queen and just ignored Sparkle most of the time. The boys love when we bring home a new puppy and with Blaze gone and Sparkle eight years old it was a good time to welcome a new puppy with open arms. This blue-eyed beauty went almost a whole day before we came up with a name for her. Nothing really seemed to fit her personality until she went to turn while she was running and when she started to turn she wiped out falling all over herself. I laugh so hard and said that was not graceful. That is how her name became Grace, because graceful she is not. Her nick name is Velcro dog she sticks to me like Velcro she follows and sits next to me every day. Grace is just what we needed to bring more fun and love into our lives. Grace lives up to her names in some way every day she is such a clown and what a joy.

Sparkle and Grace get me up and out the door to walk with them every day. They keep me in the present not asking for very much, always looking for some love, a pet or a scratch and ready to snuggle with you at any time. My dogs are the entertainment, protection, and company we enjoy every day. I love my dogs they only act up if they feel you might be a threat to me or my family. I would love to take all the credit for the behavior of my dogs and I think my training falls short of the connection they have with each other. Grace pays close attention to Sparkle and I think that she was trained fast because she always follows Sparkles lead.

My dogs are not disable they are deaf. They use other senses to make their way in this world. Most people would not know that if I didn't tell them. I watch over them, love them and they watch over me. Everyone thinks that they're dogs are the best and I am no different. Owning four Dalmatians I can say this is my favorite breed. Soft as velvet, black spot on white, black lined eyes, black lips and a black nose. Their eyes are golden brown, chestnut or blue. They love to walk to the park and run every day. These dogs motivate me to walk they calm me when I am upset, they warn me when I am getting a migraine and in some way they make me laugh every day. I love this breed and all my girls past and present. Sparkle and Grace are great dogs and even if they can't hear we love them and they love us. Our dogs light up when we enter the room, they wag their tales and show us how grateful they are that we chose them. They all have their own personalities and become a part of the family.

It is by free grace that I am saved through faith, and this is not of myself, but it is the gift of God.

EPHESIAN 2:8