| PET OWNERSHIP (cont'd) |
| Just as with children, pets cost money to raise and maintain. There will be pet food to buy, vet bills to pay when the animal needs vaccinations or medical attention, ongoing expenses like heartworm and flea control, and possibly grooming bills. Not to mention the cost of boarding the animal if you go on vacation. If you're not prepared to lay out bucks, forget having a pet. Any pet not used for breeding by a professional should be neutered. Many folks, especially men from what I've seen, recoil at the idea of "maiming" the animal or depriving it of a sex life. But that's not the case at all! Neutering isn't "maiming." A pet who is allowed to mature without being neutered is in for a myriad of frustrations and, down the road, health problems. Many unspayed female dogs develop cancer of the reproductive system in later life. Male and female dogs who are not neutered but are also not allowed to mate can become short-tempered when they cannot do what nature is telling them they're supposed to be doing. With this in mind, some folks "solve" the problem by allowing the dog to mate at least once. In fact, there are many people who are of the mindset that a female dog needs to produce a litter before being spayed. Now, I don't know where that rumor got started, but it's nothing more but an old wives tale and a dangerous one at that. First of all, it is irresponsible to arbitrarily allow pets to reproduce. Pet overpopulation is a SERIOUS problem. Every year, between 10-12 million pets are euthanized by shelters because there are simply no homes for them. Why would any thinking person want to add to this number? Secondly, dogs should be fixed before they mature sexually to avoid health troubles down the road. If you don't believe what I'm saying here, ask any vet. In short, if you're going to obtain a pet, be responsible and have it neutered. Don't be swayed by the prospect of dollar signs if you get a purebred. There's no guarantee you will sell all pups from the litter, and even if you do, for every puppy you sell, there's one sitting in a shelter somewhere who may die without being adopted. The dog breeding business, like any other business, has its responsible players and its shady characters. There are puppy mills in existence where the poor animals are forced to live in crowded and unsanitary conditions. The dogs are mated without a thought as to their health. Deafness in some Dalmatians was caused in no small part by inbreeding, mating males and females from the same litter. This is how most health problems in purebreds came about. Why not consider a hybrid instead? Mixed breeds are just as cute and notoriously healthier and yet they're the ones being passed over! Why not obtain a pet from the Humane Society or local SPCA? Give them a try first even if you have your heart set on a specific breed. There are lots of advantages to obtaining an adult dog from a shelter or from one of the many breed-specific rescue operations out there (see the next page for a couple of links). You'd be doing such a good deed by adopting a pet in this way and, quite possibly, saving it from being destroyed. Some more thoughts... ~Don't ever give a pet as a surprise gift to someone, especially not a child (unless that child is your own and you're prepared to be the pet's caregiver). Whoever obtains a pet should do so voluntarily and willingly, after learning what is involved in raising that particular species. ~Don't give live chicks or bunnies to your kids as Easter gifts. They are living, breathing creatures. Cute little yellow chicks grow into chickens! So unless you live on a farm, settle for the toy variety instead. ~Do know what pet ownership entails. Have an idea of how much it will cost you in terms of time and money. Also have a sense of how it will change your lifestyle. It may sound as if I'm discouraging pet ownership. Nothing could be further from the truth! I LOVE animals! And I'm in a position to speak of the responsibilities faced by pet owners because I'm one myself. A pet is truly part of the family. Having a pet is a joy, but it's also a lot of work. Just be aware of all this before making your final decision. Don't let your common sense melt along with your heart when you see cute baby animals. Their innocent faces hide lots of surprises! What We Can Learn from Dogs ~When loved ones come home run to greet them ~Never pass up the opportunity of a joy ride ~Allow the wind and fresh air in your face to be pure ecstasy ~When it's in your best interests, practice obedience ~Let others know when they've invaded your territory ~Take naps often and stretch before rising ~Run, romp and play daily ~Thrive on attention and let people touch you ~Avoid biting when a simple growl will do ~On warm days, stop and lie on your back in the grass ~On hot days drink lots of water and lie in the shade of a tree ~When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body ~No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.; run right back and make friends ~Delight in the simple joy of a long walk ~Eat with gusto and enthusiasm, but stop when you've had enough ~Be loyal ~Never pretend to be something you are not ~If what you want lies buried, dig till you find it And most of all... ~When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently |
| Click here to go to links to more resources on the Web and to see some cute and funny doggie pix! |