Letter From Dog

Dear Human,

I want to start by saying thank you for all you do for me. You have provided me a home with a big fluffy bed, food and water, yard to run around in and a lot of love and companionship. You take me for walks and spend time playing with me. You let me curl up and sleep next to you at night. You keep me safe when I am scared. You take me to the vet, even though I hate going, if I get sick or need a check-up. You are my world.

To you I promise these things. I will stand by your side always. No matter where we go, I will be with you. When we are home, I will be at your feet waiting with a devoted love to protect and serve your needs. I will let you know when people come to the house or enter the yard. I will be there to protect you if you are in harm’s way. For I am YOUR dog and family member, I value your life more than mine.

When you are sick, I will lay with you and try to make you better…even when you do it to yourself. I do not judge…I just love you unconditionally. I will always wait for you when you leave. I do not care when you come home, I just care that you come home. I may smell you up and down to see who or what you have been around, but I will always be happy to see you.

Though people have come and gone in our lives, I will never leave you. I know there have been hard times and good times. I am always there with you and feel your pain and happiness. Your happiness makes me happy; your sadness makes me sad. I will kiss your tears away and snuggle up with you until you are better. I promise to love you always and try to make you happy. I will never leave you no matter what. My love and loyalty is unconditional.

Please teach me through love and kindness what you want from me. I will try my best to learn. My entire existence revolves around serving you…I am dog.

Faithfully Yours,

Dog

Being a Responsible Pet Owner: Part II

As we talked in the last blog, there are many so many things that go into making someone a responsible pet owner. We talked quite a bit about the psychological and environmental needs of dogs; now, I want to focus on the responsibility for the physical well-being of our dogs. I am going to apologize now for offending some of you. I am in no way suggesting that anyone is a bad dog owner for not doing any of these.

Healthcare, let’s just get this one out of the way first. It is a touchy topic for both people and pets. Our dog’s count on us for their healthcare, it is our responsibility to make sure that they are receiving the care and attention they need for a long and healthy life. Like with people, this healthcare is not cheap.  Our dogs should be taken to the vet for regular check-ups and preventative care. Here is a short list of some preventative care to do with your dog:  

              Regular Health Checks,

              Dental Cleaning,

              Vaccinations,

              Heart Worm testing and Meds (Check with your local vet to see if it is needed),

              Healthy Dog Food and Treats,

              Dog Safe Toys,

              Exercise.

Unfortunately, the last one on the list is the only one that may not cost a little more than the alternative. However, the preventative care will save you money in the long run. Being a responsible dog owner is expensive and should be considered when deciding to get a dog.

In addition to the preventative care, there are the emergencies that come up. Some breeds are more prone to health issues than others. As the owner, you want to take the steps to decrease/minimize any common health concerns for your breed. Again, the preventative care is always cheaper than waiting for something more serious to arise.

Please do not let this scare you away from getting a dog if you want one. Yes, owning a dog can be expensive…about $10,000+ during its lifetime, but the love, loyalty and companionship is worth every dollar.

I would like to mention that there are a number of companies that sell health insurance for your pets. If you are interested in pet insurance, please do your due diligence. If you have questions about pet insurance, you should check with your vet for information and to make sure that they accept the insurance company you are considering.

Remember that our four-legged family members count on us for everything from day to day healthcare to the unexpected emergencies. We need to all plan accordingly so we are able to provide the necessary care to allow them a full, long and healthy life.