The Right Dog For You

When choosing a dog, it is important to ask yourself why you want the dog in the first place. Then decide if you have the room for it where you live as well as the funds to care for it. It is more than just food and an occassional walk. It is a commitment that will last for 15 years or more for most breeds. Research the breeds also: do you want a dog with short hair? long hair? size matters also. How much time do you have for it? A big dog needs room to grow compared to a little lap dog! Also, do research on breed dispositions. Does this dog breed as a whole enjoy people, or is it a one owner/one family dog?
Are there allergies in the family that need to be considered?
Once this is decided, visit area humane societies as well as breeders and ask questions. Read all you can and acquire knowledge on the various breeds available. Don't just settle for the first cute puppy that you see.
You have many years of happiness ahead of you. Make it worthwhile with a dog you will enjoy coming home to!

quality time with you family

The family that plays together stays together. This is true also if you have both children and pets. Develop a healthy relationship with both by teaching your kids how to care for an animal. Select books that teach as well as tell a story. "Patrick the Wayward Setter" is a good one, because it teaches that even with a hard- to- train puppy, a family must persevere to maintain a quality relationship with the addition to the family. Read to your children and help them along. This way, you will have set a precedent that will be lifelong and bring many happy rewards!

the gift of dogs

the best friend a man can ever have, who won't turn on him or bring him down, who won't cause him to regret the relationship, who won't curse him or cheat on him, who will wait forever for a kind word, is his/her dog. Friend of the ages, beginning and end!