Archive for March, 2011
Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Adopt a Pet
March 28th, 2011 | 
Author: As we enter the season of rebirth and renewal, and as we leave our winter doldrums (along with our cold weather hats, coats and gloves) behind us, we welcome and embrace the mild and comfortable weather, the foliage in bloom and a seemingly kinder and gentler world. We spend more time outdoors and soak up the rays of the sun. We feel refreshed, revitalized, invigorated. What better time is there to adopt a loving, doting canine friend and companion with whom we can share the joys of the season?
There are many reasons to adopt this spring:
1). It is the perfect time of year to spend quality time outside with your dog.
2). The temperatures are mild and moderate making it easy to housetrain your pet and take him out for frequent potty trips.
3). The days are longer and permit more outdoor time to exercise your dog – and to take him for more and longer walks.
4). The temperatures are cool enough so that you can take your pet for rides in the car-
without worrying about him being exposed to excessive heat or cold. Most dogs love their rides!
5). You can spend time socializing your pet at dog parks and greeting and meeting with your human and canine friends in the neighborhood.
6). It is easier to obedience train your dog – teaching him to “heel”, “come”, “sit”, “stay”,
etc., this time of year – and even teach him agility. You can jog or run with your best friend.
7). You can enjoy dining with your canine buddy at outdoor cafes or restaurants (find
out which places permit dogs first!)
8). You can play “fetch, “catch”, ‘Frisbee” and other games with your dog without getting him overheated.
9). You and your dog can take comfortable walks in the park, woods, or country.
even and your canine friend can enjoy the wonderful scents of the flowers and shrubs in bloom.
Best of all, you can appreciate nature and share the joy and beauty of the loveliest time of the year together! There is no finer companion than your wonderful, loyal, devoted and unconditionally loving dog!!!
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It is Time to Become Wise Stewards of Life on Earth
In light of so many recent natural as well as man made disasters, I am compelled to reflect upon and mourn the lives of so many innocent people and creatures and the harm that has befallen our home, Mother Earth. I is disheartening and deeply saddens me to think of our planet stricken and damaged by massive oil spills; impacted by potential nuclear meltdowns and the life-threatening spread of radiation; the proliferation of nuclear weapons; light and sound pollution posed by the relentless drilling of oil and gas wells; deforestation; the raping and decimation of pristine environments which have served for countless years as habitats for our fellow creatures; the accumulation of greenhouse gases in conjunction with the burning of fossil fuels; the needlessly cruel and unnecessary slaughter of billions of animals for food each year, and so on. How can we fail to recognize the earth as a living, breathing, powerful and yet, simultaneously, fragile organism? How can we not but respect her beauty and bounty? I hope and pray that it is not too late to salvage and restore the earth.
I live on a small, but beautiful parcel of land outside Dallas, Texas. I am blessed and privileged to spend almost some part of every day outdoors in touch with the natural world. We have hundreds of trees and shrubs – currently in bloom. We have a large pond full of turtles, frogs and fish. We also have ducks, geese and blue herons, egrets, cormorants, hawks, road-runners, rabbits, coyotes, snakes and many other magnificent creatures. We also have those animals regarded as “pests” such as gophers, field mice, opossum, skunks and armadillos. We regard them as “gifts” – for their presence increases our awareness and understanding of the purposefulness of each one and the manner in which all living creatures interconnect and relate to one another and the earth.
There is a horse farm behind our property, and nearly everyday I observe the horses and colts frolic and run so joyfully and gracefully. Getting to “know” or at least become very familiar with the animals that live on or visit our property is a privilege and a blessing. All are sentient, playful and beautiful. Each has a unique personality. Each offers special gifts; each one has a purpose for living here alongside of and with us. I am, thankfully, in constant communication and attunement with the natural world – of which we are all apart and from which we are all descended. This communication and attunement leads to a communion with the Creative Force and Power responsible for the existence of all life. It is virtually impossible for me to think of any form of life on earth as purposeless or insignificant.
The time I spend with my twenty-two rescue dogs is truly a gift. They are a further link with the Natural World. These innocents, who have been neglected, abandoned, tortured and abused are forgiving and nonjudgmental. The love unconditionally and are both vulnerable and pure of heart. They live spontaneously “in the moment”, and other than digging in my flower beds on occasion, cause no irrevocable destruction to anyone or to the environment. They bring me great peace, comfort and joy. They are natural “healers”.
How far away is the time that we revered Mother Earth and the Natural World instead of exploiting her gifts, beauties and bounties? Why have we become so negligent, greedy and irresponsible? We have “dominion” over the earth and her creatures – which is, in actuality, “stewardship” or “guardianship” and the obligation to love, respect and appreciate our home and all living creatures.
We must reassess our values and reprioritize them. Our greed for more money, more property, more power along with our ignorance and arrogance can lead to only one outcome – our own demise and the destruction of our planet. We have been warned!
We have witnessed recently and over time the vast power of Mother Earth. The recent crisis in Japan – a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster –
must surely remind us that Mother Nature can destroy not only people, but also countries, continents and the international economy instantaneously!
We must heed this wake-up call and come to the aid of our ailing planet. We must abolish nuclear weapons – we must focus once again on the beauty, majesty and power of the earth. We must learn to respect her and her creatures - we must make a strong and concerted effort to become wise stewards of our fellow creatures. Now, more than ever, is the time to come to the aid of our peoples and planet…
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Having a Dog Can Benefit Seniors
There are so many ways in which dogs enrich our lives emotionally and physically. Here are some examples of how pets can be of particular benefit to seniors. For example, did you know that seniors who have dogs or other animal companions pay fewer visits to the doctor?
- Seniors who have dogs or cats and who require hospitalization tend to stay in the hospital for a shorter duration than those without companion animals.
- Seniors who have pet tend to have a more active social life than those who don’t.
- Seniors who have pets tend to be more physically active and get more exercise than those without them.
- Seniors who have pets experience less depression, loneliness and anxiety than those without them.
- Pets provide seniors with unconditional love, loyalty and devotion.
- Pets fulfill the care giving and nurturing needs of seniors.
- Pets provide seniors with companionship and friendship.
- Pets improve the overall quality and help increase the longevity of seniors.
There are many other gifts our animal companions bring to seniors – comfort, acceptance, nonjudgmentalism, spontaneity, affection and laughter. Many seniors who have outlived their spouses or human friends can derive much joy from the daily presence in their lives of a dog or other animal companion.
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The Best Dogs for Kids
Making the decision to adopt a dog requires a lifetime of commitment on the part of you and your family. Your dog’s care and lifelong well-being are in your hands. From socialization skills to obedience training, good nutrition and adequate exercise; regular veterinary visits and vaccinations to playtime and interaction with you – the dog is vulnerable and completely dependent upon you for all aspects of his life. His quality of life and happiness depend upon you. Before adopting a pet, think carefully as to whether you are willing and able to make this lifetime commitment and take on this responsibility. Remember, we generally outlive our pets. Like humans, they break bones, require stitches and even develop complex and terminal illnesses and disabilities. They may require medications and medical treatments similar to ours.
Children and dogs are meant to be together. They can become best friends, playmates, companions, siblings and confidants. Their bond is like no other and is both incalculable and unforgettable.
So, after you and your family have determined that you are going to adopt a dog, how do you decide which breed is right for your household? What characteristics, personality and attributes do you want your dog to have? There are certain breeds that are especially compatible and well suited to live in families or homes with children. The following breeds are playful, energetic, loyal, affectionate, protective and intelligent. Any of them would make an excellent dog for kids.
- The Labrador Retriever (Lab) is a wonderful family dog. He is patient, friendly and persevering. He is often exuberant and seemingly tireless and is almost always up for a romp. Playful and affectionate, he is also very smart and trainable.
- The Golden Retriever is confident, intelligent, kind and loyal. He is also extremely patient and affectionate as well as protective. And… He LOVES to play! Both Labrador Retrievers and Goldens are frequently used as service dogs for the blind, deaf or people with other disabilities because of their intelligence, patience, resourcefulness, friendliness, desire to please and gentleness.
- The Poodle is a very family friendly and extremely clever dog. He is gentle and good-natured, great for kids who have allergies and is also patient. He is an excellent playmate for a child.
- The Beagle is a perfect child-friendly dog. Intelligent, alert, friendly and playful, he is not too small and not too large. He is curious, inquisitive, and highly trainable.
- The Collie is a calm, intelligent and tolerant dog that is gentle and trainable. Like his movie ambassador “Lassie”, the collie is loyal, devoted, resilient and resourceful. He makes a wonderful companion.
- The German Shepherd is highly intelligent, friendly, protective and loving. He is very loyal and playful, but, because of his size and cleverness must be socialized and well trained. He is extremely sensitive, clever and resourceful and wants to please and protect his loved ones.
- The Great Dane is a gentle giant that loves children. He is kind, loyal, affectionate and patient. He seeks little more than to be loved by and to please his family.
- The Pug is a small dog that is very loving, affectionate and has a strong sense of family. He loves kids and does well with inexperienced pet owners.
- The Irish Setter is a beautiful dog known for its lovely red coat. He is playful, energetic, and very intelligent and loves being around people and children. He is also easily trainable and requires a lot of exercise.
- The Mixed Breed dog is my own personal favorite. You just can’t beat him! He is generally very intelligent, has great survival instincts, and is well-balanced and friendly. He yearns to please and to find a place in your heart, and he’s so grateful to be adopted into a loving, welcoming family. He usually loves children and is playful and full of life and energy. No doubt, he has faced adversity and even the possibility of death. If you adopt him from an Animal Shelter or Rescue Organization, you are saving a life as well as getting a GREAT family dog!
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Should I Get a Dog for my Kids?
We all know that children and dogs share a very special relationship. Kids forge a unique and powerful bond with their animal companions. They play with them, talk to and laugh with them, walk with them, do their homework with them and even share their strongest feelings and deepest secrets with them. Dogs love children unconditionally and never yell at or punish them for not doing their homework or chores or for not cleaning their bedroom. Kids and dogs - you just can’t beat this winning combination!
Kids learn compassion and responsibility by learning to share life with and feed and care for their pets. They learn to value and appreciate all living creatures. They learn a lot about life itself, getting sick or old, living in the moment, sharing companionship and friendship– and also the care and commitment an animal companion requires and deserves.
When is it appropriate for a child to have a pet? It truly depends on the child’s family situation and his own maturity. As a parent, know that you are ultimately responsible for the care and well-being of your family pet. Children are well-intentioned and may promise that they will take care of the pet on their own. But we, as parents, know, that children are easily distracted and preoccupied with their own responsibilities such as school, extracurricular activities, human friendships and social obligations. They may be very well-intentioned, but lack the maturity to assume full responsibility for another living being.
Before adopting a pet into your family, it is very important to have serious discussions about the obligations and responsibilities associated with pet guardianship or “parenthood”. Your child must thoroughly understand that a pet is a sentient, living creature who may be shorter lived than he, who may get sick and require veterinary care, who depends on humans for his regular food, water, grooming, exercise and overall wellness. He is a vulnerable creature who depends entirely on his human caregivers. You must also decide which type of dog best suits your family’s personality and lifestyle and to whom which responsibilities of the pet’s daily needs will be delegated.
Much thought and deliberation of each family member is required to determine if a pet is appropriate for you. Consider that the pet should be spayed or neutered, receive his vaccinations and regular visits to the vet to make sure he is in good health, have a nutritious and healthy diet, daily exercise and playtime, frequent interaction with his human family, and receive socialization and obedience training. Each member of the family must understand that the pet requires a lifetime commitment to keep him as happy and healthy and comfortable as possible. If you do not have the time, space or budget to provide a healthy life for a pet, please do not adopt one. There are countless homeless animals who have been surrendered to animal welfare organizations and shelters and ultimately euthanised simply because their owners did not take the time to conduct research as to the time, space, activity level and money associated with keeping a pet or consider how much attention, interaction and care an animal companion requires. A pet has the potential of becoming a loving, devoted, loyal, unconditionally loving and beloved family member. If he is neglected, he can become sick, bored and destructive. Whether or not to get a dog for the kids is an extremely important decision. Take the time and make the effort to determine if a pet is in your child’s future!
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