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MUTTS
Are You Committed?
As you begin searching either a humane society, animal shelter, or rescue group, remember that there are not only mutts, but you will also find many pure breds too. You might even find a purebred dog there that you might like. But whether you are looking for a purebred or a mutt, please take the time to read over these questions below and make sure you are ready for a dog...... And make sure you are honest with yourself too. Never forget that the reason there are thousands of dogs in animal shelters and humane societies is that people never asked themselves these very important questions. By the way, it's OK to say "No" to these questions. I want you to now. It is a lot better to say "No" now instead of AFTER you get the dog.
TIME
Am I committed to 15 years of loving and caring for this animal?
Remember that this is a lifelong commitment. Your are going to be commiting your life to being responsible for feeding, watering, and caring for this animal. If you have never owned a dog before, you're going to find this dog will give back to you all the love you give him and so much more!
Do I have the time right now to commit to a dog?
This is a real important question. A great example is I have a lot of friends that work in the film and TV industry and as much as they love animals, there are so many of them that will not have a dog because of their lifestyle. They are gone for so much of the time, and know that to have a dog at this time would not be fair to the animal.
FAMILY & PETS
Do I have any other pets?
In general, males and females can be more compatible. If you have a female, you might want to think about getting a male. If you have a male you might think about bringing in a female.
Are the pets good with other animals?
Some pets simply do not like other animals. Although this is something that does not happen a lot, I have seen this on some occasions.
Do I have kids that are a little too young for a new dog?
If you have a few toddlers right now and you feel your "hands are a little full", my suggestion is to wait until your kids are a little older and you have more time. Remember, a new dog is going to take time.
Is my family ready for a dog?
Again, make sure that eveyone is ready for a new dog. If you are in a situation where you have just moved into a new home, just wait until you are all situated and in place before bringing a dog in the house.You want to avoid as much commosion as possible.
Is my home ready for a dog?
Take the opportunity to make sure that your home is ready for a dog. This means making sure that the backyard has a lock on it, and the yard is totally safe and secure. Make sure that if you do have slats in your fence, that there are no slats missing in the sections of the fence. As you are checking the slats, check for nails that might be sticking out too. Check the inside of your hosue too. You may even want to "childproof" some of the lower cupboard doors in areas the dog can get to.
PERSONALITY
What type of personality do I have?
This might not matter to you, but with some people they might be younger and a little more athletic and outgoing. So they might be looking for a dog that is athloetic too.
Do I want a high strung dog?
Again, if you are a person that is high strung and very outgoing, you might be looking for that same type of dog.
Do I want a dog that is laid back?
If you are a person that is mellow or even older and looking for a dog, you might be looking for more of a quiet companion. Even a shy or reserved dog might do great for you!
When you are ready to find a dog click on:
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