| At this time of year, it is not unusual to find people | | | | with all the attention they receive from excited |
| shopping for puppies and kittens to buy for a special | | | | children that they just tremble with fear! Many |
| person as a Christmas gift. I think most of us have | | | | youngsters play with pets by quite innocently gently |
| seen movies where a child - or often a lady - is | | | | blowing in their ears and the like, not realizing that this |
| delightfully surprised at receiving an adorable little | | | | can bring a sudden reaction by the dog to the |
| bundle of love and we think how sweet it is! | | | | unexpected surprises such as unintentional little nips. |
| Unfortunately, early into the New Year many of | | | | Teach your children how to interact with your pet |
| these "gifts" are found neglected, mistreated, on the | | | | and it will love and protect them for all of its days! |
| street or in animal shelters. This is tragic! Dogs and | | | | There are of course other considerations, including |
| cats are not "things" but living, breathing animals who | | | | selecting the right type of dog - temperament, size, |
| need lots of care, love and attention, and they should | | | | etc. - to suit your family, finding out about the dog's |
| never be brought into any home without a great deal | | | | background if possible, etc., before you choose your |
| of forethought. | | | | new friend. However, I'm trying to limit this to basic |
| You should never buy a dog on impulse! Remember, | | | | considerations. It is a little like adopting a child that will |
| dogs need to be fed, bathed, walked, trained - and | | | | never grow up; your pet will always need your care, |
| loved! So if you are thinking of taking a dog into your | | | | so when you adopt an animal, it's important to take it |
| family, here are just 5 of many areas that warrant | | | | very seriously and make the commitment to your |
| consideration, as even the best intentioned person | | | | new pet that you will care for it for the rest of its |
| can tend to forget some of the many responsibilities | | | | life. Of course, things may happen and situations may |
| and commitments that come with owning a pet. | | | | change, but in my opinion at least when adopting |
| 1) Financial Resources: Remember that old song, | | | | your pet your mindset should be that you are |
| "How much is that doggy in the window?" Well the | | | | accepting that responsibility and not taking the animal |
| purchase price is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether | | | | on a trial basis. |
| you are buying a dog from a breeder or a pet shop, | | | | I hope that by laying this on the line I am not |
| the first thing I recommend is to take him/her to a | | | | discouraging you from adding a new family member! |
| good veterinarian for examination to make sure that | | | | We have a darling little Yorkie, who has been with us |
| the animal is healthy and has had any shots required. | | | | for 7 years, since we lost our 13-year-old Yorkie who |
| This will set your mind at ease and if there is a | | | | we had since he was 8 weeks old. We broke all the |
| problem, it may be something minor (like fleas) that | | | | rules when we bought him. We loved dogs but had |
| can be dealt with simply and immediately. This will | | | | discussed it from time to time and had decided that |
| also provide your vet with valuable information for | | | | it would not be right for us or the dog with our |
| follow-up visits, which are definitely required! Dogs | | | | business commitments, social lives and vacations, but |
| need check-ups, just as we do, so be prepared for | | | | when we saw our little "Royal" at a pet shop while |
| this expense, and if it won't fit into your budget, | | | | shopping one evening it was love at first sight and |
| then you won't want to take on the responsibility of | | | | we just couldn't resist! |
| caring for an innocent animal and have to worry or | | | | However, we took him home with the full realization |
| watch it suffer through illnesses that could be | | | | of what we were doing - that this was truly a |
| avoided or treated. I've seen this happen. It is not | | | | commitment for the rest of his life - and I can |
| intentional abuse - just lack of money - and it's very | | | | honestly say that we never had any regrets! Any |
| sad! | | | | inconvenience was so worth it! He brought us such |
| 2) Care and Safety: Think about the needs of the | | | | indescribable joy - such unconditional love! There was |
| petyou are going to adopt and how these needs will | | | | always that wagging tail and kisses galore every time |
| affect you? Will you be there to train and walk your | | | | we came home and the cuddling up to us when he |
| dog as needed? I'm not saying that just because you | | | | sensed we weren't feeling well, and so much more!. |
| work full-time, you shouldn't adopt a dog, but do | | | | We nursed him through a few serious illnesses, |
| consider the number of hours that you will be away. | | | | always making sure that he was not suffering and |
| Animals, like people, can only wait so long before | | | | could enjoy a good quality of life - and he did, until he |
| they need to relieve themselves, so if you work | | | | unexpectedly passed away one weekend while |
| 12-hour shifts, perhaps a cat is better suited to you | | | | sleeping by the fire surrounded by our little family. It |
| than a dog unless you arrange for your pet to be | | | | drained us emotionally and we felt that we would not |
| walked by others. If you do not have an enclosed | | | | want to go through that again, but when a friend |
| outdoor area for your dog to "exercise", be sure to | | | | told us about someone who was looking for a good |
| keep him on a leash. Just one quick dash out into the | | | | home for a 3-year old Yorkie, again we fell in love |
| road in pursuit of a squirrel may cause you to lose | | | | with her immediately! So much for the new-found |
| your pet forever! Of course feeding, bathing, | | | | freedom - it didn't compare to the happiness we |
| grooming, etc. are all basics and can be | | | | found with our new little Abby! |
| time-consuming. Puppies, like babies, also go through | | | | Very recently it has been discovered that The |
| the teething process and other similar experiences, | | | | Toronto Humane Society has been avoiding |
| and many of the same precautions need to be taken | | | | euthanizing animals, and as a result, with the huge |
| regarding things left within their reach. | | | | number of animals being taken in to the Society and |
| 3) Training: If you are reading this, then you are likely | | | | many more expected with winter coming, numerous |
| not familiar with training animals regarding the basics, | | | | animals were found living in deplorable conditions as |
| so you will want to read up on this, and you will find | | | | the Society did not have the resources to care for |
| lots of information handily available right here on the | | | | them. Some indeed had even been forgotten and |
| Internet. It is important that you be consistent in | | | | were found to have suffered terribly. As an animal |
| your training and signals to your pet. There are | | | | lover, I beseech you to do what you can to avoid |
| numerous very inexpensive training programs that | | | | these situations and to support organizations which |
| you can perhaps attend for an hour or so one | | | | focus on the prevention of cruelty to animals. They |
| evening weekly that will get you through this stage. | | | | need our help. |
| Be prepared to spend the time; it's well worth it. | | | | In conclusion, I truly hope that this article will help you |
| 4) Lifestyle Restrictions: Think about the restrictions | | | | in your decision as to whether the timing is right for |
| your new friend will put on your day-to-day living. Do | | | | you to introduce a dog into your home. At the risk |
| you ever go out and stay overnight with friends or | | | | of being redundant, I beg of you - please don't add |
| family? How about vacations? Will your dog go with | | | | to the overpopulated animal shelters! Please give your |
| you, or what arrangements will you make? In most | | | | decision a great deal of thought - and then, if you |
| cases, it is easier to take a child with you than a dog. | | | | are ready and able to fulfill the needs of a new |
| Friends and families may not appreciate have a canine | | | | family member, please make that commitment and |
| guest, and many resorts and hotels forbid animals. | | | | enjoy that wonderful special love that a pet will bring |
| 5) Your pet and your family. It is so important to | | | | to your home! They ask for so little and give so very |
| teach your children how to gently handle and treat | | | | much! |
| their new friend. So many little puppies are terrified | | | | |