Dodging Drool
Bobbie blogs about dogs as she lives with mostly hounds. While no longer rescuing, she maintains Silverwalk Hounds Sanctuary for the remaining Sanctuary dogs as well as occasional fosters. She enjoys talking about dogs, including rescue, fostering and adoption.
Perspectives on Pets - a Beginning
Posted Monday, April 20, 2009, at 1:45 PM
Welcome to a new seMissourian blog about pets, pet people and all manner of things in between. There is a short bio under my photo (too old) to the side - yes, I know I misspelled "rescue." One would think I would know better! My current interest is dogs, though I have had both cats and horses in the past. Cats are comfortable, horses sooth the soul and dogs minister to the spirit - my bases have been covered :).
I love animals, always have as you can see from these childhood photos. That cat is great - "all right, I let her drag me home *sigh* Can I go now?" The puppy belonged to my grandparents though he was mine while I waited for my sister to be born - while I love her very much, at the time I would have much preferred the puppy.
So, what do I have to say to you about pets? Don't get one. Seriously, do NOT get a pet unless you have truly counted the cost in
- time,
- money,
- lifestyle change
- your adaptability to a no longer pristine home. When you think you are ready for a pet,
- volunteer to keep a friend's for a few days,
- talk to a shelter/rescue about weekend fostering, volunteer at a shelter, rescue or sanctuary.
- Consider your lifestyle in time at home, time you are willing and able to give to an animal who will depend on you for everything.
- Do your homework - who needs a big yard: a Parson Russell terrier or a Greyhound? The little terrier, for sure; greyhounds are couch potatoes.
- Did you enjoy potty training? Please consider an older dog who will either already be house trained or pick it up more quickly than a puppy.
- Here is the difference between pets and children. Children at least by a certain age (and I have none so I can't be more specific) can clean up after themselves and understand English. Pets don't - they will learn to understand what you teach them. Let me repeat that - pets will learn to understand what you teach them. I currently have at least three dogs with fear-filled backgrounds: a Coonhound who for some reason is very, very nervous and will not hunt - he was found starving w/a hunter's tracking collar on - no one tried to claim him; a foxhound mix who was documented to have been beaten - it has taken a year for her to become a more normal dog; and a former puppie mill Sheltie momma who will not go on a leash, is still intermittently shy about being caught but at least now paws to be petted. I have very little understanding or patience for people who are cruel to either pets or children - and that cruelty can be physical, verbal or emotional.
- Be prepared to spay your female dog or cat and neuter your male dog, cat or horse. Unless you are a licensed AKC/UKC dog breeder who is prepared and dedicated enough to your breed to take back any of your puppies, SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PET! This a mantra, a soapbox, whatever you want to call it. Pets are not people; they cannot control their animal urges - you must control it for them. They do NOT need to breed "at least one litter" before being altered. They will NOT get more fat if altered - only if you feed them too much and don't exercise them and yourselves enough will anyone get fat. All of my dogs are altered and the only fatty I have is the Sheltie, who, I admit it, doesn't get enough exercise. A neighbor of mine is now responsible for the vet bills for two of our neighborhood dogs after his intact male dog attacked and seriously injured them while he was mating an intact (now spayed - thank you, owner!) female dog. Spaying and neutering your dogs/cats will save you money on mis-directed aggression, injuries, unwanted pregnancies, and illness.
- Companionship
- sport (I am thinking agility, responsible hunting, etc.),
- health (there is documented evidence that having and stroking a pet will lower blood pressure)
- they are fun,
- entertaining
- warm on cool nights
- assistants for the blind and other disabled persons,
- guardians - when I walk, I am never afraid as I have with me two to three dogs off leash walking around me, not always in sight. One day, I was waving off some loose neighborhood dogs just to keep them from riling the dogs in the yards when my off leash Beagle zoomed by me and went after a very large dog who soon sent him packing (no serious injuries - don't worry). My point is, I never taught him to "guard" - he knew who and how to guard - most dogs will - and size makes no difference :).
- good listeners: many dogs now are used in reading classes as they listen without judgment but they do listen well. <P>
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