play with my dog

[ivana]

Great stress relief is my dog. There's nothing better than playing with her when I'am stressed or in a free time. Now we are blessed to have two of her pupps with us, it is just great. In the morning when we wake up, they all come to welcome us and wish a good morning. How can one not laught on that and have a nice day after.. I totaly adore them

[ivana]

ups wrong spelling.... 'laugh'

[Invincible]

Hi Ivana

For the past year, I keep thinking it may do me good to get a dog. I just don't know too much about looking after them and how to choose one that is suitable for us all. Do you think it's always better to have 2 dogs at the same time?

[ivana]

Well, it depends from dog, some dogs are better alone at home, and some with other dog so they don't feel board when there is no one at home.
We have a female boxer, and they are just great for the house, especially for children. She recently gave birth, and we have now two white boxers (male, female - Don&Diddi), they are adorable. I can't tell you how much happiness they bring into home.
There is only one thing sad here, we can't afford to keep the pups, cause our apartment is small for 3 dogs, and I am not sure how long we are going to live here in Israel, we are here just 2 years, and we took our dog with us. So, because of that I think it wouldn't be comfortable for them and us to travel with 3 dogs. But, from another side, I don't want to give them, I love them too much... aghhh If I could just find a good home for them, that would be my only consolation. Byt how do you know if they are gona treat them good. oh
But my advice is that you should get a dog, it is really a man's best friend.
This is my first dog, and my life has changed since than a lot, for better of course. You can search the web and see some pictures, that's what we did. But we always wanted a boxer, cause of there character, and I definitely recommend them.

all the best,
ivana

[alien]

G'Day dog lovers!

If you spend majority of you day at home and the weekends at home then a lone dog will do fine as you will be its company. If your dog was to be kept outdoors but you are at home mostly then it would still be better for the animal to have an outdoor companion as you provide little friendship from the other side of a wall. In nature, dogs are a pack animal and will live with other dogs of relation. This is why it is compassionate to get two puppies instead of one as a brother and sister (or two of the same sex).

Please also try to consider carefully where you get your companion from as pet stores generally buy their dogs from “puppy mills” where there is a lot of cruelty and torture. Of course every pet shop will deny it but interestingly they will never disclose or take you to the “trusted breeder” they claim to have purchased the puppies from.

Please when you have a minute go to:
http://www.critterhaven.org/puppy_mills.htm
http://www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com/
(an Aussie site but has links to US & UK sites)

If you're looking for a pet:

Resist the temptation to buy that gorgeous kitten or puppy in the window - you'll only be lining the pockets of greedy breeders or puppy farmers and perpetuating the irresponsible breeding which leads to the suffering and death of thousands of innocent animals

Look for your animal companion at pounds, animal shelters or rescue centres and save a life! Or visit a reputable, registered breeder.

[shelley]

Great sites for researching which breed to get - if you want to rescue a purebred, which is what I did - are these:

www.akc.org

and

www.yourpurebredpuppy.com

These sites really give you the low-down on the personality and quirks of the breed, whether they're high-maintenance, etc.

Once you get down to 2-3 breeds that you're interested in, join the Yahoo groups for that breed, and rescue organizations that arrange adoptions. I found my dogs through www.jccare.org and made lots of good friends that way too.

Japanese Chin are the perfect companion dogs in that they aren't at all yappy or hyper or really all that high-maintenance for a long-haired dog. They hate to be alone so are better for people who work from home or who are retired. They keep me laughing!

[harmony]

I adopted a beautiful girl May 1st last year. She was a year old at the time. Boarder collie. shepard cross.

PETSMART was hosting the The Humaine Society and an Adopt a friend weekend.

Our girl is a handful at times, and OH my the dog hair - LOL. But she has added a lot of happiness and fun to our house. She has a very playful and loving nature. She loves "her" people. She ocassionally will jump up on me when excited, but never has she done that to my son, she is mindful of him. Amazing to see her head pop up from a rest, and then off she goes through the house to investigate and check up on him.
She's family. I fully recommend a dog to anyone with the time available and a little love to give. It will come back to you tenfold.
As an added bonus, when you have a dog it is hard to find an excuse not to go for a good walk. The dog needs to be walked.

[Invincible]

Thanks for all the wonderful information Ivana, Shelley, alien and harmony

I agree alien, I would definately get a dog from a rescue centre. I did take a look a couple of months ago but didn't see any that were suitable. I'll look again soon and I'll make sure I'll read up on those links everyone was kind enough to provide.

[Alicyn]

We rescued our little Cairn Terrier, he's the sweetest (and most stubborn little brat). He was almost 8 when we got him, no one wanted a dog that old. He's now 10 and still acts like a puppy. As an older dog, he does great being home alone while we're at work.

His name is Boo and he looks just like Toto from the Wizard of Oz, feisty little guy too, never a dull moment with a terrier.

Adopting him from the Cairn terrier rescue league was great. He's a real member of our family now.

Ali

[Invincible]

I like the look of this one -it's looks like a sheep http://www.akc.org/breeds/bedlington_terrier/index.cfm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bedlington_terrier/photos.cfm

[Alicyn]

Bedlington terriers are cool. I used to be a groomer and had a few come into my shop. They're fairly rare, so hard to find and expensive. They look all soft and mushy but they are terriers, tough little dogs.

Do you think you'll get one?

Ali

[Invincible]

Hi Ali

No, I don't think I'll get one ... just found it looking through a link Shelley gave and it really has the "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh" factor. And I like sheep

Ill get a rescue dog when I do get one. I don't think our house could handle too big a dog. I'm interested in cocker spaniels or something similar size, maybe a little larger. I've already got a list of dog training schools ... just no dog

[shelley]

I didn't consider any terrier breeds - too much of a handful! LOL! but I do love meeting them at the dog park.

Here's a good referance on the quality of dog foods, it rates many popluar brands on a scale of 1 to 4 stars:

http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByManu?OpenForm

[Alicyn]

There's a food called Flint River Ranch, it's mail order only. I found out about it years ago from a holistic vet. The food is wonderful and although the cost will look high, they need very little of it, so it's actually cheaper. My German Shepherd went from 6 cups of Science diet a day to 3 cups of Flint river, he lived to age 14 and was always very healthy on it.

Just do a search and you can find a distributor. I have never seen a dog snub it

Ali

[h0ppy]

I used to play hide and seek with my dog. I would give him a treat, and while he's eating it I would hide somewhere in the house and he would come search for me! It was always hard not to start bursting with laughter when I would be hiding behind a glass door and he walks right past.