Just
remember...A Healthy, Natural Diet will add years to your
pet's life!
Adopting A New Puppy
A lot of us dream of having our own puppy one day. There are
many things we must consider before taking on the task.
Before rushing out to buy or adopt a puppy it is recommended that you seriously
consider the impact this will have on your life. Examine the reasons of your
decision. Why do you want a dog? Are there young children in your family? Do
you live in a house with a yard or an apartment? How much time do you have to
devote to your new puppy? There are many questions to ask yourself before jumping
into this decision. Puppies need to be fed, walked, played with and loved. They
need a great deal of constant attention. If you don't have the time, please
wait until you can devote much of your day to him. As he ages, he will not need
as much attention, but like a newborn, your pup needs you. Anyone who thinks
they want a dog should step back for awhile and truly understand the impact
he will have on their lives.
Not everyone should have a dog! Some people, for whatever reasons, simply
do not have the time or the ability to care for a dog. Caring for a dog is a
lot of hard work. A dog cannot take care of himself. From the minute he enters
your family, you will be responsible for feeding, watering, exercising, training,
playing, and sheltering him. A dog is a very social animal.
There are many different breeds of dogs and it is extremely important to choose
the correct breed for you and your family. If you choose incorrectly, the dog
will be in the SPCA before you know it. After all, there are over 130 breeds
officially registered with the AKC. There are sporting dogs, working dogs, hounds,
terriers, toy dogs, and nonsporting dogs.
So how do you decide which breed of dog is right for you? Some veterinarians
feel that mixed breeds make better family pets because they have calmer temperaments
and are less expensive. Others feel that purebreds are much more predictable
as far as future temperament and size. A purebred pup allows you predict what
he will be like as an adult.
Choose a puppy that reflects your personality. Are you active? Do you like
staying at home? Do you like the outdoors? Are you hyper? Are you laid back?
Do you work all day? You must choose a breed that will compliment your personality.
Also consider your lifestyle. Are you flexible enough to work around your pup's
needs? An example: Our family goes on vacation each year to the Outer Banks
of North Carolina. We have two Labrador Retrievers that we leave behind for
the week. Our two dogs must be kennelled or stay with friends. This can be very
expensive and stressful.
In conclusion: Please take time to consider your decision. Choose your breed
carefully. Above all else - enjoy the new member of your family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Reid lives in South Carolina. She has done research on
all types of dog related supplies and natural dog food diets. At the time of
this writing she owns two beautiful Labrador Retrievers, one black and one chocolate.
You can find more articles at her webpage http://www.all-natural-pet-and-more.com She also has a great site on Organic Food, Skincare and Supplements found at http://www.yourorganicchoices.com |
