| This article about dogs discusses some of the | | | | or small, short or long-muzzled, short-haired or |
| reasons why so many people are dog lovers, plus | | | | long-haired or curly or straight-haired, with a |
| it gives some advice on choosing and caring for | | | | muscular build or a slim build, with an elegant face |
| dogs. Why are there so many dog lovers out | | | | or a comical face, and in any number of colors. |
| there ? Dogs share our lives in a way that most | | | | Each family can adopt the perfect dog to suit |
| other animals can't, and they're so commonplace | | | | their taste and lifestyle by considering factors |
| that it's easy to take their faithful companionship | | | | such as a dog's size and temperment. Does the |
| for granted. The purpose of this article is to | | | | family have a large fenced yard where a big dog |
| remind us of why we love dogs so much, to | | | | can romp in safety, or a cramped apartment |
| spare a few minutes and to spare a few words in | | | | suitable for small dogs only ? Can the family pet |
| praise of "man's best friend," the dog. Dogs are | | | | care budget support a large dog with a large |
| friendly and they love human companionship. | | | | appetite ? Are there lots of flower beds that |
| Whose ego would not be gratified at the sight of | | | | might be dug up and ruined by a breed such as a |
| a happy dog who can't wait to greet you at the | | | | terrier ? Are there children in the house who |
| end of a hard day ? Your dog waits for you by | | | | require an extra gentle dog who'll tolerate the |
| the door, face smiling, mouth open and tail | | | | uninformed tail-pulling of a pre-schooler or the |
| wagging, ready to dote on you, his best friend in | | | | roughhousing of a ten year old ?Does the family |
| the world. | | | | have the time available to give a dog all the love, |
| Dogs are loyal and, as pack animals, they respond | | | | attention, exercise and play that he deserves, or |
| to the presence of a leader - you ! Dogs are | | | | will he be alone all day ? How about two dogs to |
| eager to please you in any way they can. When | | | | keep each other company when the human |
| you're feeling blue your dog will remain by your | | | | members of the family aren't around ? Perhaps a |
| side silently comforting you. When you're happy | | | | loveable mutt or two would be the ideal choices ! |
| and excited, your dog will leap about you and | | | | The local dog shelter is likely to be harboring |
| share in your joy. Dogs are playful. They love | | | | many abandoned dogs who are sad and lonely |
| physical activity such as going for walks, fetching | | | | and desperately in need of a second chance to |
| sticks, leaping into ponds, and racing wildly to and | | | | find true happiness with a loving family. |
| fro. Dogs will join you for a jog or for a day in | | | | Dogs give us the best of themselves: their love, |
| the park or even for an exhuberant game of | | | | loyalty, unconditional acceptance and affection, |
| frisbee. Yet dogs can also be soft and cuddly and | | | | playfulness and companionship. In return, we owe |
| ready at anytime for a loving pat and a | | | | them our best and the best care that we can |
| reassuring hug. They're affectionate and they're | | | | give them, including a healthy, well-balanced diet, |
| soothing to stroke, plus most dogs can also | | | | constant access to clean water and shelter from |
| remain calm when necessary and be tolerant of | | | | the hot sun or extreme cold, regular brushing and |
| small children who don't yet know how to be | | | | other grooming, ongoing veterinary care, plus |
| quiet or to behave gently around animals. | | | | annual vaccinations. Dogs should also be spayed or |
| Dogs can be trained so that they can easily | | | | neutered, so that they do not contribute to the |
| cohabitate with us in our human-built dwellings. | | | | tragedy of the pet overpopulation problem. |
| They can also be trusted to act appropriately | | | | A safe environment is, of course, a must. |
| around other people and in public. Dogs can learn | | | | Indoors, be sure that cleaning products, |
| to save nature's call for outdoor walks, to walk | | | | medications, houseplants and other potential |
| on a leash when on public roads where cars lurk, | | | | poisons are kept safely out of reach. Upper floor |
| and to sit and to stay whenever and whereever | | | | windows need secure grills or screens if they are |
| necessary. | | | | to be opened. Heavy objects must not be left |
| The family dog is as much a part of daily life | | | | where they might fall on and injure dogs. Outdoor |
| within a home as is any human household | | | | yards need secure fences if there are roads with |
| member. Our dogs are always there for us, day | | | | cars nearby. (Please don't chain dogs outside and |
| and night, sharing in every activity from breakfast | | | | deny them their freedom of movement.) |
| time through a cozy evening spent watching TV. | | | | Antifreeze and other poisons mustn't be allowed |
| They can share both our indoor and many of our | | | | to leak where any animals might have access to |
| local outdoor activities, but that's not all. Dogs also | | | | them and try to drink them. |
| play a big part in family life even when the family | | | | A leash should be used for walks where traffic |
| isn't at home. They can readily go places with us | | | | poses a threat to safety. Don't skimp on daily |
| in cars, everywhere from a romp in the local park | | | | exercise and provide lots of opportunities to run |
| to a family vacation. Because they can travel with | | | | around and play but, if a little dog has short legs, |
| us, they can be a part of our lives in a way that | | | | remember to slow down and not force him to |
| most other companion animals can't. As dogs can | | | | overwork his little legs in trying to keep up with |
| participate in many of our most unusual | | | | your larger stride. Don't force dogs to hurry past |
| experiences and outdoor adventures, they | | | | every tree when out for a walk, either. |
| become forever associated with many of our | | | | Sometimes dogs just need to sniff, so don't rush |
| most treasured memories. | | | | them too much. Above all else, dogs deserve |
| Dogs, in all of their various shapes and sizes, are | | | | gentle handling and an abundance of our time and |
| also beautiful animals to admire and to look at. | | | | attention. Love can make a dog's world go round |
| From their big beautiful eyes and lovely faces, to | | | | as much as love makes our world go round. |
| their soft, sleek, shiny coats, to the tips of their | | | | When we give our love freely to our dogs, we |
| joyfully wagging tails, dogs are a pleasure to | | | | receive their love in return. Dogs can truly be |
| behold. With so many different breeds to choose | | | | man's and woman's and children's best friends, and |
| from, everyone can choose the dog whose | | | | we should feel honored to be theirs, as well. |
| appearance most appeals to them, whether large | | | | |