Top 10 reasons to get a dog as a pet
VIDEO: Find out the importance and health benefits to having man’s best friend by your side.
One other misunderstanding that dogs tolerate is the hug. For humans it is a show of affection. For dogs it is a sign of dominance, of “holding him down”. If you look closely, and I have attached my own example, dogs will pull away from you or look away from you during this behavior. The ears and eyes will show this is not pleasurable for them. This is also very valuable lesson for children, as this is a common area where children are hurt because of the misinterpretation. I agree with the author that for us to fully enjoy the relationship with our dogs, we need to remember: a dog is a dog. I think they are adaptable, but they were created unique from us. Unselfishly we should recognize that and interact in a way they will appreciate. For all they give to us, it is a small gift in return.
Many dog owners wish that they had never let their dog or puppy “start” doing certain things. What early on may have been cute or funny is now undesirable and seems difficult to correct. Issues such as dogs on the furniture, begging for “people” food, and barking for attention are just a few examples that quickly come to mind.
The size of your new dog is very important. Not only space-wise, but how long they will live. The larger the dog, the shorter the life span. A big one, like a large human, will simply require more food than a smaller one. If you have children, will they be afraid of a large one? If you and your partner both work, will they be alright left alone all day in your living space? Big ones make bigger messes. Small ones need protection in the cold weather. All dogs will require plenty of exercise. Just like humans, it isn’t a good thing to not get outside to run and play.
Dogs sense when people are dying
In her recent book All Dogs Go to Kevin: Everything Three Dogs Taught Me (That I Didn’t Learn in Veterinary School), hospice veterinarian Jessica Vogelsang recounts the stories of how her dogs helped her through various hard emotional times. She writes about how when she was struggling with postpartum depression following the birth of her first child and also dealing with the stress of a new veterinary career, her golden retriever refused to leave her alone until she got the help she needed.
