BENEFITS OF HAVING A PET.
Perhaps, sometime
or the other a thought must have crossed your mind of getting a pet dog as your
friend, but your doubts and hesitation has kept this on the back-burner.
While most pet
owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives
with companion animals, be it a dog, cat, goldfish, parrot or a hamster, many
remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also
accompany the pleasure of playing with or snuggling up to a furry friend.
And
those who love animals will tell you, it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood
when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours
So what are you
waiting for? Let’s kick-start the process.
WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BRING A PET DOG HOME.
Such
short little lives our pets have to spend with us,
and
they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.
It
is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even
how much closer we become with each other because of them.
THINK FIRST:
Dog ownership is not something
to be taken lightly or casually, it needs to be carefully thought out. Bringing
a pup or a grown up dog home is a life-long commitment as your pet will be a
part of your family for the next 10-15 years.
Every family has their own needs, personality, house, space limitations,
health problems, time limitations and of course finance. Considering all this,
will a dog fit into your schedules and your family lives nicely and not make
things difficult later?
A lot of research, considerations and thoughts should be taken before
your pet joins you. Remember, dogs are social creatures, they love to be included
in the family and the activities.
WHY DO YOU WANT A DOG?
After an honest retrospect, I
suppose you are now dead-set to adopt a pup or a dog.
Answering these simple
questions will help you select the correct size and breed of a dog.
Do you
want your dog for companionship or for guarding your household?
Do you want a dog to play with your young
children?
Do you simply want some quite company or a
company for elders at home?
Do you want your dog to compete as a show
dog?
Do you want him as a partner for your daily
walks and exercise?
Do you want a therapy dog for someone
physically infirm at home?
Do not select a dog purely on looks.
FAMILY DECISION.
A puppy in a family is a
responsibility of all. Everyone should interact and shoulder the responsibility
together. Make sure all the people who share your home know about this new
puppy and agree to accept it before you bring it home.
Inputs from all, specially
elders in the family are important to make a right resolution.
Don’t make the mistake of
bringing a puppy home on the ‘spur of the moment’ or just because it’s ‘the
thing to do’.
Even gifting a puppy to
someone, think, would that be an accepted or an unwanted gift?
WHO WILL BE THE PRIMARY CARETAKER OF YOUR DOG?
Decades ago, there was a
simple answer to decide on your pet’s caretaker.
Mom stayed at home and did the
household chores. She raised the family dog too.
Most families these days do
not have that option. Adults go to work and kids head off to school. The family
dog gets caught in between work, lessons, sports, household work and errands.
One parent should be appointed as a primary caretaker to make sure the dog does
not suffer in the shuffle.
I PROMISE...
Many parents get rail-roaded
by their children to get them a puppy dog.
They cross their hearts and promise with tears in their eyes, they will
religiously look after all the needs of their new friend.
The fact is, in the life span
of 10-15 years of a dog, your children too will be growing up in different life
stages.
It would not be fair to remind them of their promises made earlier and
hold them responsible. It should be a life affirming act by all.
ADOPT OR BUY - A PUP OR A DOG.
Adopting a puppy is generally easier and
cheaper than buying a “Pure-breed” puppy. Between the two, many thoughts might
crop up in your mind on which to choose.
Whether you adopt or buy a puppy or a
dog, remember your pet is likely live up to 10-15 years, certainly a life
commitment to a new addition in your family.
So it’s well worth investing some
time to be sure you are on the right track and not acting on your whim.
PUPS
Puppies are really cute and charming
bundles of joy. Just like a baby which needs all the care and attention, they
will keep you busy.
Remember, your puppy who has been separated from its mother and litter
mates, would need your closeness to it by which a pup can start its
socialization process with other people and animals, which is a first step of
its training.
The time to wean a puppy begins within three and four weeks of age, and
preferably completes by seven to eight weeks of age. Puppies do need time to
learn important behaviors from their mother and litter mates.
Juvenile puppy period starts at age 10 weeks and lasts until puberty, a
beginning of a sexual maturity. Puppies at this age have a strong desire to
know or learn something and are a bit stubborn and eagerly interested to
explore everything.
And you won’t be disappointed when your pup learns to chew,
makes a mess, starts pawing, biting, fighting and has accidents in the house.
Set your alarm clock, this is an ideal time to begin training.
SENIOR DOGS.
A dog falls into the “senior” category around age seven. Animal shelters
are filled with healthy and active senior dogs. They too make great pets.
Many presume an older dog could be a problem dog but frankly it’s the
other way around.
At an adolescence stage they have mature behavior and are mellowed and
focus on life.
They know shoes are for walking and bones for chewing.
They are not time consuming as a puppy, and you have more time to enjoy
each other. Don't forget that they need homes just as much as puppies do.
Senior dogs lose their homes for a variety of reasons, perhaps a death
of a guardian, a new child arrival, loss of a job, or change in a work
schedule.
Dogs have mastered basic commands
and they can be trained at any age.
Older dogs are just as smart as
younger ones.
An older Dog is ready to accompany you on a long walk. He will make a
great work out partner, a loyal companion and perhaps a late night snuggle
buddy.
Today with a change in life style, a few mindsets have a change of heart
too, they discard or abandon their pets as the novelty or interest on a pet
wears off.
A few opt to change
their breed to their fancy liking. Trust me, Dogs can detect your mood and
resentments. They too have a bad hair day. Do not destroy his soul.
I have a pure breed Doberman dog at home and a few mixed breed dogs on
my farm. Believe me, we get a rich undivided happiness from both worlds
FOR ADOPTION...
To be honest, I am a huge supporter of
rescues and support adoption of mixed breed. They are healthier, aren’t
high strung, they are friendly, protective, yappy, aggressive, active,
obedient, beautiful and of course at times
stubborn – just like any pure breed.
No comments:
Post a Comment