| Deciding to own a pet, in particular a dog is a | | | | serious problems. Large dogs need large facilities |
| serious matter, and shouldn't be taken lightly. | | | | for living and exercise. Yet people who, live in |
| Well considered, objective decision can lead to | | | | small apartments often buy monsters. Older |
| much pleasure and happiness. Conversly a hasty, | | | | people buy big dogs then they are unable to walk |
| unwisa choice may result in frustration and | | | | well enough to exercise them. |
| uhhppiness.Rember, as barbara woodhouse, a | | | | Allergy Problems: |
| world faamous dog trainer said "There are no bad | | | | Some owners have respiritory problems. Some |
| dogs, only inexperienced owners." | | | | types of dogs are a greater problem than others. |
| Unfortunatly many people do not take into | | | | Some dogs like Shi-Tzus and some others are |
| consideration all the factors involved when they | | | | practically allergenic. Before you buy check it out, |
| decide to buy or adopt a pet. | | | | there’s plenty of information on the |
| Many times children have a great influence in | | | | Internet. |
| these matters. Often with unhappy results and | | | | Shedding: |
| sometimes with tragic consequences. | | | | Dogs have basically three types of coats. |
| I live in an area where many people have | | | | Short hair no undercaot. They shed but not too |
| seasonal homes. More times than you can imagine | | | | bad and are easy to maintain. Examples: fox |
| parents buy their offspring puppies when they | | | | terriers, bull dogs.Beagles, whippets. |
| come here for the summer and abandon them | | | | Medium long with undercoat: They shed a lot and |
| when they leave in the fall. | | | | need a lot of brushing, but not expensive |
| Part of this problem is that we are a very rich | | | | grooming, |
| society as some of these abandoned waifs are | | | | Examples: Germann Shepherds, reteivers, Collies. |
| purebred dogs. I can attest to this because we | | | | Hair: They don’t shed at all and have very |
| have a six-year-old purebred Shi-Tzu that we | | | | little odor. Often do not present an allergy |
| adopted five years ago. And we have adopted | | | | problem |
| neglected dogs before. We have also purchased | | | | Require a lot of brushing and expensive frequent |
| AKC registered dogs so we aren’t against | | | | grooming. |
| that practice. Whatever suits you and yur pocket | | | | Examples: |
| book is fine. | | | | Poodles, Shi-Tzus, Lhasa-apsos. |
| When rescued she was emaciated and the skin | | | | If you or your spouse is fussy about your home, |
| was torn off her back. The SPCA nursed her | | | | clothing and furniture this can be a big issue. |
| back to health and when we got her she still only | | | | Children: |
| weighed seven pounds. In less than six months | | | | Create mny problems, Little children should not |
| she doubled her weight. She’s a wonderful | | | | have dogs. The best natured animal if provoked |
| dog but still terrified of people, particularly men. | | | | by an innocent but rowdy kid can get bitten. A |
| This is one example of the many incidences. This | | | | dog is still a dog. The older ones want the pet and |
| one has a happy ending. Many don’t | | | | promise to care for it. You know what happpens. |
| they’re put to death, because of the | | | | Mom or Pop end up taking care of the dog. |
| overload Facilities and help. | | | | The Time Factor: |
| But let’s get back to some of the basic | | | | Today with most parents working it’s |
| sources of this dilemma. A lot of the problem is | | | | difficult to care for a dog. Then need care and |
| due to the fact that often people don’t | | | | affection. They're part of the family. They need |
| take he time to consider all the factors involved | | | | attention, they need brushing, bathing, feeding and |
| before they procure a dog. Then you end up with | | | | exercising. If you don’t have the time to |
| either unhappy people or miserable pets. Not | | | | devote, don’t own one. |
| every one abandons or abuses them, but many | | | | Temperment: |
| live to regret their choices. | | | | Dogs like people are individuals and have |
| Here are some factors that warrant consideration. | | | | temperments. Sometimes you can get a pet that |
| Resposibility: | | | | you’re incompatible with. This is one reason |
| You are taking on the responsibility of a helpless | | | | I advocate adopting dogs that are a little more |
| creature that is entirely dependent on you. It | | | | mature. This is important if you are considering a |
| cannot feed or shelter itself. If injured it | | | | mixed puppy. They’re all cute when |
| can’t take care of itself. Dogs need | | | | they're babies, but you never know what |
| grooming bathing and above all attention and love; | | | | they’ll look like when full grown. |
| they can’t do for themselves. | | | | Mixed breeds however are worth considering. |
| Expense: | | | | Often they have better temperments than finely |
| Today it’s expensive to keep a pet. Many | | | | bred species. Also, some of the most gorgeous |
| need expensive grooming. Dog food is not cheap. | | | | dogs I have ever seen were cross bred. As for |
| There are mandatory medical bills and license | | | | intelligence, just look at the movie dogs; almost all |
| fees. Even adopting a dog is fairly expensive and | | | | of them are mutts. |
| usually you’re obligated to pay to neuter | | | | Consider all these factors and others that are |
| them. | | | | relevant, and if you’re as we are, you'll find |
| Environment: | | | | it worthwhile to have a loving friend for life. Go |
| This is very important and frequently the root of | | | | For It. |