Deciding to Adopt
They look at you with sad but eager eyes through their cages. You may have seen them in the mall, online or in your local pet store. Maybe you have even visited the shelters. There they are. Their little faces look at you with hope that you might be the one to take them home.
And that is how it starts for many people. They want a pet and then they see these animals that need loving homes. But how do you decide whether to adopt a pet and where to adopt one?
Cynthia Bent, 32, and her fiancé share their Plano townhouse with five dogs: a rottweiler mix named Sera, a chihuahua named Bruiser, and three poodles named Lucky, Hall and Oates. Their home is sparsely furnished but filled with energy. The five dogs seem to be everywhere at once, fighting for the attention of visitors.
Although Bent adopts through shelters and rescue services, there are those who simply rescue strays.
Cynthia Ponce, 22, has adopted two cats with her boyfriend Dale Mayberry, 36. They adopted their first cat, Mama Kitty, three years ago. "My best friend found her outside by the Dumpster." says Ponce. She plans to adopt a dog through a local animal shelter next.
Maura Davies, media relations specialist for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas, suggests that those interested in adopting a pet consider lifestyle and financial commitments carefully.
"Bringing a pet into your home is a huge responsibility," says Bent an accountant. "Their whole lives depend on you. Careful consideration should be made about the breed of pet you adopt and if you have time to bring a new family member into your home."
Anita K. Edson, the director of media relations for the SPCA of Texas, says those who adopt should conservatively expect to pay $1,000 to $2,000 per year, including food, veterinarian services, toys, treats, bedding and miscellaneous supplies and training.
Mama and Baby, as Mayberry and Ponce refer to them, provide a great deal of entertainment when chasing toys attached to a string Mayberry tugs. Mama is more curious and friendly than the younger blue-eyed Baby who is wary of new people.
Ponce smiles like a proud parent when she describes how friendly and smart her cats are. Bent, Mayberry and Ponce all emphasize the way pets become like children for their owners. Considering the positive difference their pets have had, Ponce and Bent it is not surprising that they become noticeably uncomfortable when talking about the huge numbers of pets still in need of good homes.
The SPCA of Texas estimates that 200,000 animals are euthanized every year in the Metroplex alone. The organization recommends that all pets be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and socialized. The SPCA offers counseling to prospective "parents" to help them choose the right species or breed.
Despite their experience with adopting pets, Bent and her fiancé recently suffered a loss in their animal family. They brought home a dog from a shelter. The plan was to spend a lot of time with him to make sure he blended well with the rest of their animals and their parrot Chica.
Bent was at work, and her fiancé, Rob, was in the kitchen at home when he heard a scream. It was Chica. By the time he got to the new dog to free Chica from the dog's mouth, it was too late. They took the dog back to the shelter where they had found him and explained that they could not keep him after this experience.
Despite this experience, Bent recently adopted Hall and Oates (both poodles) from the Dallas Forney Road Animal Shelter. Her other dogs come from the Richardson Humane Society, the Plano Animal Shelter and the SPCA.
Bent has made a point of adopting pets who have a poor chance of finding new homes due to health problems or age. She got Lucky from the Plano Animal Shelter where he was soon going to be euthanized. Bent says: "He is blind and can only walk on three of his legs, but he is the sweetest and the most resilient dog I've ever met. He's a real love-muffin." Lucky indeed. The little gray poodle is quick to check out visitors and demands attention with cautious but eager affection.
Petfinder.com allows visitors to search pets by animal (barnyard to reptile), breed, size, gender and location. Users can also view photographs of animals in need of new homes. "I am always looking at petfinder.com, but usually I just go to the places that need [people to adopt] the most," says Bent. Dallas Animal Services also posts photographs of available pets in Dallas on http://www.dallascityhall.com.
Edson says the SPCA warns agains getting animals from sources such as pet shops, advertisements in newspapers or from "backyard breeders" who sell dogs in flea markets or on the roadside. She says many of these animals are bred in mills, where breeding animals are forced to live in filthy, cramped conditions. "Bottom line: Between shelters and breed rescue groups, what you want probably exists already, so why make more of something we already have too many of?"
Helpful Web sites for those interested in adopting an animal:
http://www.rspca.org
Author/Source: Rori Harrington
Web Site: http://www.roristories.com Pet Loss
I have a book of dream interpretation - it says that dreams of empty houses often follow a bereavement. I have dreamt these dreams, and it is true - there I am wandering round a neighbour's empty house, finding everyone has gone to the zoo without me (yes, the zoo! I am obsessed with animals, even in my sleep!) - when I wake up and think about it, yes, the dream has followed a bereavement.
I can't explain how the dream interpretaion works, but the "empty houses" one convinces me that there is something in it.
So why am I surprised that I dream of empty hutches when I loose a pet?
The emotions are the same, those of loss, of soul-searching, of love, of anger, of guilt, of regret...but for some reason I think I should not go through the same stages of bereavement.
But when I dream of going to my shed and finding all the hutches empty I realise that I should not deny that I am grieving. I still go quickly to the shed on waking...just to check all the remaining guinea pigs are ok...and of course they are.
Losing a pet is a traumatic time, so we should be able to talk about it and get some comfort from others; my colleagues know that if I say "I may seem a little down today as I lost one of my pets last night" I mean it, and they are very understanding.
So to anyone who has just lost a beloved pet, I would say "do be honest with yourself and others about how much this hurts".
Love is "the fear of losing", and if we didnt love them so much we wouldnt care for our pets so well.
And if you cannot share your grief, I hope you find an outlet in your dreams...and comfort from other animals. Before You Buy That Puppy
"How much is that doggy in the window, the one with the waggly tail...?" Familiar words to an old tune suggests that many people at one time or another consider having a dog as a pet. They might have fond memories of the old Boxer or Cairn terrier that they grew up with. Maybe it was a good-natured mutt or even a neighbour's well-behaved German Shepherd. Some folks imagine owning a beautiful and heroic dog such as "Lassie" of book and screen fame.
Often, the reality is that many pups purchased on impulse wind up in shelters or banned to a chain in the garden because they didn't measure up to the dream. This is written to help you consider the answers to the questions you should ask before buying that cute little puppy.
Are you ready for a life long commitment to responsible dog ownership? Let's think through and visualize what dog ownership is really like. It is fun to imagine walking an obedient dog on a beautiful day, but remember, the same dog will need walking when its hot, cold, raining or icy out. The "Obedient" part will take time and effort. In deciding whether a dog will fit into your lifestyle, the biggest consideration in the long run will be "Do you have the TIME it takes to own a dog?
Questions Some dogs need more time than others do, but every dog requires time for daily interaction beyond just meeting its basic needs. Consider your lifestyle and personality when deciding if a dog would fit into the picture.
Why do you want a dog?
How active and busy are you?
What do you do with the dog when you travel or are on
vacation? Do you have young children?
Do you have a fenced garden?
How big is it?
How long at a time will the dog be alone in the home?
Does anyone have allergies? (Easier to find this out visiting someone else's dog first) Would you have the time to start with an untrained puppy or would you be willing to re-train an older dog?
What kind of fur and how much grooming/shedding are involved?
What size would fit in?
Purebred? Mixed? Male? Female? Large? Small?
Dogs needs
Puppies and adult dogs have daily needs. The basics are shelter, food and water, grooming, health care, training, exercise and social interaction. The earlier in life you start teaching a pup what is expected of it the better, but the more it has to learn. With an older dog, there may be some bad habits they'll have to 'unlearn'. Early social experiences set the tone for a dog's development into a dependable companion or a destructive nuisance.
Training
Socialization Puppy Training (9-18 weeks.) will certainly mold the pup during its most impressionable period and helps provide an environment for learning positive associations with new people, places, experiences and other dogs. Patterns are set for life in these formative weeks. However it is essential that young dogs from 4 months to one year attend training classes.
Cost
Besides training, there are other expenses incurred with dog ownership. After the initial purchase, the biggest portion will go toward veterinary and feeding bills. A high quality food costs more 'per bag' but is very cost effective in terms of better health and food efficiency (you feed less). Veterinary start-up costs, including immunizations and worming, Microchips are also required by law for identification is not cheap. Neutering and spaying usually takes place around 6 months. Semi-annual vet visits, heartworm testing and preventative medications, unexpected illnesses or accidents all add up! Then there is the control of internal and external parasites to consider (worms, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and mites etc.)
Grooming requires the proper tools to care for coat, ears, teeth, and nails. (For some breeds, there is the additional expense of a professional groomer 8-9 times a year.) Microchips are also required by law for identification.
Basic supplies include sturdy food and water bowls, leash and collar, bedding, cage, chew toys, food treats, indoor gates, outdoor fencing, kennels and housing.
Although lovable, puppies and dogs will create additional cleaning work around the home. (Accidents: diarrhea, urine, vomit), shedding hair, muddy paws, drool, tracked on floors and carpeting, nose prints on windows etc.) Responsible dog ownership dictates cleaning up dog garden waste, keeping dogs reasonably quiet and confined to their own property. Dogs are known for destructive chewing and digging holes.
These problems can only be successfully dealt with through supervision and confinement and early puppy training (starting at two months.)
So, why on earth would anyone want a dog with all the work, time and expense of owning one? For many reasons, but the biggest one for most people is that they enjoy the loyalty and companionship of a dog. Dogs like to play. Folks like the way they interact in the family, the way that the dog looks and the home security a properly trained dog can add. If you are willing to make a time commitment for the next
10 years (the average life span of a dog); knowing the responsibility and expense of owning a dog and fully aware of the likely negative elements involved, then, the next step would be to decide what kind of dog best fits into your lifestyle.
Breeds
Do not make the drastic mistake of choosing a breed solely on its 'looks'. Although this is one consideration, the temperament, size, activity level and coat care are even more important considerations. Unfortunately a pup is sometimes chosen impulsively because it looked like a 'cute little teddy bear' and then the teddy grows up to me more like a 'grizzly' because the breed is a type bred for high levels of aggression. Or a pup may prove to have an energy level that requires more exercise and attention than can be provided.
Research
Research the breeds that appeal to you. Libraries carry breed books and local veterinarians may be able to put you in touch with reputable breeders. Local dog shows allow you to view a variety of purebred dogs. Find out about the positive and the negative traits of each breed you are considering. Ask questions: How big do they get? How much grooming is required? How aggressive are they? How active? How much exercise is required? Are they good with children? Are allergies a consideration? Don't discount mixed breeds.
Good Luck with your new pet and come to training classes.
Commitment, Firmness, but kindness. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Puppy Love
"Mommy, since I don't have a brother or sister, can I get a dog?"
"You already have one pet, Emily."
"Rainbow Fish doesn't do anything. He just swims around all day."
"We'll see."
We told Emily that a puppy was a big responsibility and waited until she almost turned seven to buy one. "I've found us a puppy. We're going to get him tomorrow," my husband, Danny, told me one day in the kitchen after work. Stunned, I thought suddenly about all the things a puppy needed that we didn't have. We had no food, food dish, leash, collar, or dog house. Only part of the backyard fence had been replaced, yet Danny assured me this would be an outside dog. Apparently, the time was right. The black lab puppy had come to Danny's jobsite with his breeder and his dame. The noise of construction didn't bother him. Danny called him a mellow fellow and pronounced him perfect for us.
We went that Saturday to Boerne with a new leash and a kennel. The litter of eleven dwindled to four. The hulking sire and petite dame waited inside while all of their babies cavorted around and over Emily, sniffing leaves and twigs and following elusive scents. Emily immediately wanted the one with the red collar, who happened to be Danny's mellow fellow. He stood warm and wiggly, sleek and black with flowing lines from the tip of a moist nose to the tip of a thumping tail. One puppy had grown bigger, but we saw none cuter. Emily loved Duke at first sight and had her heart set on him. It was puppy love.
"Get down off the couch!" carries a special tone of voice just for Duke. Emily has a special tone of voice for him, too. Her soft, sweet voice praises if he sits or comes. She tells him made up stories but draws the line at letting him in her room.
Emily's bedroom exerts a powerful gravitational field felt only by Duke. Her door doesn't easily shut all the way. By the time I hear the quiet of the house, something that used to be frilly, stuffed, and special lies on the floor wet, ragged, and ripped. Once in stealth-puppy mode, a jingling collar provides the only clue for finding him - unless a thread pops loudly. Remorse-torn only after being caught, Duke remains ultimately unrepentant. Shoes, towels, and dirty socks tempt him, but nothing pulls him as fiercely as smoothly-tanned Barbie legs in a mini skirt.
He's earned several pet names: Dukus, Dukers, and Biter Boy. Our backyard became his Dukedom, a well-chewed place. Everything has puppy teeth marks - the door, the door seal, the door frame, the flower tower, the outside furniture, and the hearts of our family. I count on him to demolish all of the back door including the weather stripping. He's made a good start on it. Good Boy! I've got my eye on a new one at Home Depot.
He has made the acquaintance of both of his doggy neighbors, Layla and Snowball. I met him at the back door after work and noticed that he'd eaten a hole in the fence. He came inside and plopped down on the floor by the couch with a grunt when I turned on the news. We found out later that he had played with Layla for four hours. But when the garage door went up, he wriggled back under the fence. Mr. Innocence waited at the back door just like any other day. A month later, he dug out again, but this time he went to visit Snowball. Poor Duke. When he finally got through the fence, Snowball could only bark at him from inside her house. This time he could not pull off the innocence routine. We could hear a disembodied yipping and tracked the frenzied sound to a velvety-eared head sticking through the fence. "Duke! I knew you were missing as soon as I opened the door." Why didn't I realize our family had been missing him all along?
You know a puppy is loved when your daughter wears her kid-sized tool belt into the backyard with her daddy to rebuild sections of the fence. You worry about him during your vacation even though Grandma's backyard is nicer than yours. You bring his picture to work and change your screensaver. You swore he would be an outside dog, but he sleeps every night on the floor by your side of the bed.
You know you are loved by a puppy when you feel a little lick on the arch of your foot if it hangs off the bed. If he loves you, he helps dig holes to plant irises in the flower bed. Left alone, he takes special care to dig them up and strew them with abandon across the yard. The first few minutes after you let him in the back door are filled with grunts and growls and the thwack, thwack, thwack of a tail thudding between the dishwasher and island. When you drag yourself out of bed to take him outside at 3:45, he covers his eyes with his paws but goes outside to do his business anyway. He stays up with you to watch the SciFi channel, the weather, and Jay Leno's opening monolog.
I know my puppy is loved when Emily says, "Mommy, my heart is just too full of love for Duke." Who would have thought that one puppy could change a family so much?
About the Author:
Author: Karen Guajardo
Description: I am a mother and an elementary teacher. Duke is our family's first dog. We've all enjoyed going to "Puppy Classes" together.
Keeping the Coat Healthy on Your Dog
By: Grant Eckert
When you see a dog on the street, the first thing you notice is how healthy it looks. Before you can even tell what the demeanor of the dog is like, it's their coat that gets your attention first and foremost. And while it might seem like a superficial detail, the health of the coat of your dog can tell a lot about their overall physical condition. To make sure you're keeping your dog and their coat healthy, here are some things to keep in mind.
Why It's Important
It's very important to keep the coat of your dog in good health for a number of reasons - some obvious, some not. Here are the ones that you need to keep in mind:
Cleaning the coat will eliminate problems like fleas and ticks - When you take the time to clean the coat of your dog, you will notice when there are fleas or ticks that have taken hold. This will help prevent the diseases that these pests can create in your dog.
Cleaning the coat will minimize the dirt and bacteria that your dog may get into - If you have a dog that likes to get into everything, taking the time to clean the coat will help prevent dirt and germ buildup that can lead to health problems.
Cleaning the coat can help to remove painful burrs that may have gotten in the hairs
Cleaning your dog will help to keep the coat full of shine and free of snarls and knotting
The more time you take to ensure that you are cleaning the coat of your dog, the more likely you are to be able to keep it healthy, rather than to have to deal with larger problems.
What You Need to Do to Prevent Problems
Depending on the coat your dog has, you might need to do a lot of maintenance for the coat or very little. Dogs with shorter coats don't require a lot of brushing or cleansing, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do anything at all.
Here are several things that every dog owner can do to help create a healthy and shiny coat: Regular brushing - With a coarse brush, you will want to brush your dog's coat at least once a week, more if they have longer hair. This will pull out any debris or tangles, making washing all the easier.
Regular bathing - While most breeds do a good job of keeping themselves clean, others will require that you clean them on a more frequent basis. If your dog likes to get dirty in the mud, you will want to make sure you are using a good quality shampoo (as recommended by you vet) whenever the dog is dirty.
Dry bathing - There are also ways to dry bathe your dog if that's an easier option for you and for the breed of your dog. Again, talk with your vet first to see what they recommend for you.
Flea baths and tick treatments - If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you will want to make sure they are getting preventative treatments via these kinds of medicated baths. Since they only have to be done occasionally, they are often a good investment of your time for the problems they will prevent.
Grooming - You might want to take a longer haired dog to a professional groomer to help you with your dog's coat. They can often trim and groom it to be in accordance with your desires in the look of the dog or in order to suit the breed's needs in terms of coat management.
When to See the Vet
The coat of your dog can be a great indicator in terms of the overall health of your dog. Because you now know how to take care of it, you can begin to look for problems as you go through the various steps. Things like ticks and fleas can become major medical problems, so if you spot either on your dog, you should call your vet to see if there's anything special you need to do. If you find a tick, for example, and there is a red ringed rash in the area, you might want to bring your dog in immediately to make sure there isn't any sign of further infection.
You may also want to bring your dog into the vet if you have bathed the dog and yet they still give off an odor. This is generally a sign of a deeper bacterial infection in the dog that is manifesting itself through the smell. When you notice anything out o the ordinary, you will want to make sure you ask the vet.
Your dog's coat is not just about their appearance, but good health always look good too.
Article Source: http://www.articlecat.com |
