Be an Animal's Lifeline (a Special Guest Post)

Would you like to have a fuzzy, funny Chihuahua to sit in your lap and look at you with adoring eyes? Or maybe you're a cat person who wants to dangle a bit of yarn for a frisky Maine coon cat. Dogs and cats are both marvelous animals with a lot of love to give. If you would like to nurture a deserving animal, please adopt one from your local animal shelter.

Because shelter animals are well behaved

It's rarely ever that a dog or cat is ever given to a shelter because something was "wrong" with it. Sometimes, an owner might request that a pet be re-homed due to a change in living conditions, illness in the family or sudden change in the budget. At any rate, it doesn't matter why the animal is in a shelter. It's never their fault. There's still a lot of love in these beautiful animals. The shelter volunteers will work on an individual level with the new animals to learn what difficulties they have, if any, and figure out the best solutions.

Because you don't want to support mills

The mills that breed purebred dogs and cats care more about lining their pockets than lining their cages, resulting in abused, unsociable animals and unhealthy puppies and kittens. Please don't support these reprobates. Adopting is not only the most merciful choice, it's less expensive. It's a common misconception that purebreds are superior to mixed-breeds. The truth is, cats and dogs of mixed heritage tend to be hardier and healthier than purebreds. These hybrids have the best of every breed they're related to!

Because shelter animals are healthy

You can know this for sure; cats and dogs are healthier in shelters than they'd be on the street! The primary thing a shelter does for an animal they've taken responsibility for is to screen for health problems and do what must be done to cure the ailment. The cats and dogs at these shelters receive round the clock veterinary care plus volunteers to make sure they're free of parasites, groomed well and socialized to get along with people. Many shelters will provide assistance and information as a public service. What they want is a healthy animal in a happy home.

Because there's just so many of them

One of the best things about being a pet owner is watching them grow from a minute puppy or kitten and training them yourself. If you want this then shelters are not exactly short on puppies and kittens. If left to breed freely, one cat and her offspring could produce 420,000 kittens in seven years! A dog and her offspring likewise could have 67,000 puppies in six years! However, realize that senior animals need homes too. If you'd prefer a pet who's already been trained and is ready to enjoy the golden years with you, maybe the older dog is best.

If you think you need more reasons, please take a few minutes to read the following infographic.

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How Dog Adoptions Work (Guest Post)

Everybody deserves a good home.

Dog adoption is a process that entails acquiring custody of a dog and taking responsibility for the animal that was abandoned by a former owner or surrendered to an animal shelter or a rescue organization.

The Dog Adoption Process

The procedure to adopt a dog may vary in some ways from one animal shelter or rescue group to another, but the general guidelines on how to go about with a dog adoption are as follows:

1. Prior to taking in a dog, an applicant will need to visit nearby pet shelters and inform the management of his or her intention to adopt a dog.

2. Once a dog is selected, an application requesting for the adoption of the dog will be submitted.

3. When the animal shelter management accepts the request, a staff will then be assigned to visit the applicant’s residence to make sure that it is comfortable and favorable for the pet. Home visits greatly vary from one shelter to another.

4. A background check and character interview are then conducted to further assess the applicant’s capability to care for the pet.

5. After the application is approved, the applicant is then required to fill out forms and pay the adoption fee. The new owner can then bring the dog home.

Note: There are some instances that the background check and interview comes first—before the home visit.

Adoption Fees

Adoption fees are a necessary expense when obtaining a dog from an animal shelter. When a dog is sent to the pet shelter, its basic needs are provided by the shelter until the animal finds a new home. Shelters and rescue groups often cover initial veterinary expenses while it is being set up for adoption. Routine expenses in animal shelters include food and shelter, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, veterinary health visits and exams, deworming, heartworm tests, parasite treatments, microchips, collar and an identification tag, treats, toys, and other necessities.

Adoption fees go towards the cost of care an adopted dog has received while staying at the shelter. It is typical to base the adoption fee on the age of the dog being adopted. Depending on the type of organization, adopting a dog may cost none or it can be several hundred dollars. In many shelters, the adoption fee ranges from $250 to $450. Pet shelters and rescue organizations usually offer reduced adoption fees to individuals who adopt an adult or senior pet. These groups also hold special events wherein adoption fees are waived.

Just one of the many events we can all support to find homes for pets that deserve them.

Where to Find Potential Pets

Adoptable pets are typically found in thousands of animal shelters and rescue groups all over the United States. Interested individuals can personally visit these centers to find a potential pet. Adequate time should be spent in choosing a dog. The ideal time is during the middle of the week when shelters are usually less crowded. When possible, repeated visits must be made to the shelter to observe for variations in the behavior of a potential pet.

Pet shelters and rescue organizations also offer online pet adoption. They maintain databases of animals currently housed in various shelters and rescue groups in different parts of the country. Among the most commonly used sites are Petfinder.org, Adopt-a-Pet.com, and TheShelterPetProject.org.

About the Author:

Stephanie is a freelance writer who resides in Gilbert, Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and with her family.

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The Important Stuff You Should Know Before Getting a Pooch Home

Before this wonderful guest post by Nicola Reynor, let me just update you guys on Buchi and Asti. We both had them groomed, and we couldn't believe we found an amazing groomer who's cheaper than our previous one. And best of all, his local dialect is the same as ours, making communication easier than ever.

Will post pictures on our next Wordless Wednesday.

The Important Stuff You Should Know Before Getting a Pooch Home

Springer Spaniel Puppy age 7 weeks by Tony Harrison, CC BY-SA 2.0

Welcoming a new puppy into the house can be a very joyous moment. The idea of sharing the living space with a four-legged friend is exciting for young and old alike. Pets need a lot of time and patience. If one is not willing or able to give a pet the required attention, things can get a lot less exciting for both the owner and the pet.

Here are some things you should consider before you bring home a furry pal.

Where to Get a Pet From?

The best place to turn to would be an animal shelter. Animal shelters or rescue groups have several purebred or mixed-breed dogs and pups. Around 4 million of these unwanted animals are euthanized each year mostly because they didn't have a loving home to stay in.

By adopting a pet from such a place, you can do your bit in solving the pet overpopulation problem. People who choose to adopt pets save around 20,000 lives each year!

Up for Adoption by Kimco Realty, CC BY-ND 4.0

By adopting a pet, you aren't just doing your bit to make the world a better place. You will be surprised to know that though animals in pet shops and online pet stores look robust, they may actually have health problems, may develop them later on in life, or may have behavioral problems. This is because these animals are born into puppy mills.

A puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation that puts profit before the welfare of animals. Animals are bred until they are of no further use and then put down. Moreover, animals are kept confined in small places and not treated well.

"I Love NYC Pets" month by Patrick Kwan, CC-BY-2.0

By adopting a pet from a rescue group, you can be sure of getting a healthy pup or a dog that was bred or raised by a responsible person. A pet at a rescue group will also be up-to-date on vaccinations.

Why Do You Want a Pup?

Are you keen on getting that pup just because you fell for its beautiful eyes? Perhaps your kids have been pestering you to get a pup for them. Adopting a pup means having to make a long-term commitment of at least 15 years to it. You will have to care for it, spend money on it, and give your time to it.

Puppy Love by smlp.co.uk, CC-BY-2.0

As children grow, their schedules will keep on changing and it may not be easy for them to care for the dog. They may even grow out of the excitement of owning a pet. If your kids aren't old enough to understand the dedication a pet will need, wait for them to grow up.

Bring a pet home only if you and your family members fully understand the responsibilities that you'll have to share. Most pups and dogs end up at dog shelters because their owners didn’t assess the important things before adopting or buying pets.

Is the Pet Suited to Your Lifestyle?

You need to consider if the breed or the age of the pup/dog that you're adopting the right one for you. Don't buy a particular breed just because you have always wanted it. Avoid adopting a younger dog if you know you can’t walk or move around a lot. All dogs have specific needs and you'll need to decide how much time you will be able to spend with your dog before adopting it.

Some breeds, and pups and younger dogs in particular, require more exercise and training. Older dogs will be better off with people living a more or less sedentary life. An older dog may not like it if there are inquisitive kids around nor will kids looking for an active companion be in awe of the new member.

this one tugs at me by jeffreyw, CC-BY-2.0

Furthermore, walking into an animal shelter may overwhelm you. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. If you bring home a pup or a dog just because you felt pity for it, you won’t be happy living with the pet.

Are You Financially Secure for the Pet?

Owning a pet will come with its share of financial burdens too. Your dog will need to be fed nutritious food and special treats. You will have to buy dog accessories and toys for your pooch as well. Think of all the things you might have to purchase to train your pup. If you leave the training to professionals, they’ll charge a fee too.

SETAF HISTORICAL IMAGE ARCHIVE by US Army Africa, CC-BY-2.0

It is necessary to groom dogs regularly so if you don’t take the time out of your schedule to groom your pet, you’ll have to spend money for the same. Dogs get sick just like we do. Moreover, they age a lot faster than we do. Regular health check-ups, medicines, vaccinations and more await you.

Conclusion

Dogs can be the best companions. Caring for a dog can be a rewarding experience irrespective of its age or breed. However, before bringing home a pooch, consider the important stuff carefully. A wrong decision will not only disrupt your life but will greatly impact that of your pet too.

The right pooch will certainly fill your life and home with much happiness. In a few weeks of welcoming your dog home, you will have found a new friend and a loyal companion.

If you’re unsure about anything, you can consider fostering a dog before you adopt one. By providing a foster home to a dog, you can see how your life will revolve around having a pet. You will also be able to accurately note how much time you will be able to devote to a pet. With any luck, your foster pet might be the perfect one for you!

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Kindness and Compassion to Dogs is the New SMEXY

I was hoping to post about our vet today, but decided to talk about other amazing people around Asia as well. 

MSB, DVM

Two days ago, we went to our vet to have Buchi's semi-monthly Ivermectin shot. Just in case anybody was wondering, Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti-parisitic drug. In Buchi's case, it keeps the itchies at bay because of his immuno-compromised body.

Off to the vet we go! Again!

So while I was talking to Dr. M about Buchi's regimen, she mentions how lucky Buchi is. If he had ended up with other owners, they would have probably left him to deal with the itchies and infection without medical attention. She didn't say much, but she made me feel like a special owner. This was far from what I had felt with Dr. C who made me feel stupid and ignorant. 

We've been going to this same clinic since 2009.

And it's not often you find a vet who understands that some of us are simply doing our best to provide the necessary medical attention with the limited budget we have. She's been generous and patient with us in many ways.

Bottom line? We think our vet, Dr. MSB, is definitely SMEXY!

Nitin Rana

We just found out about Nitin Rana in Facebook today. He has a thing for helping stray dogs and dogs in need in India. 

Nitin Rana courtesy of Dog Today Magazine 

Sure, I personally think he's cute, but the dogs think he's SMEXY.

Nowzad Shelter in Kabul

Nowzad does an amazing task of reuniting dogs and cats in Afghanistan to soldiers who have been destined there. According to NBC News, facilitating the reunion can cost as much as $4,000. They have organized more than 400 dog and cat transports to the United States and the United Kingdom.

In fact, their goodwill hasn't come unnoticed. They have been awarded BVNA Charity of the Year 2014, JustGiving charity of the Year 2013, and Animal Transportation Association Charity of the Year 2013

We would like to thank Melissa for giving us the go signal to use their logo in this post.

The shelter also takes in stray dogs, hoping to establish a healthy and controlled population through vaccination and spaying and neutering. One of their many intentions is to have of these cats and dogs adopted by Afghan families. Let's give them a paws up! 

The dogs and I think that Nowzad is SMEXY!

Interested in helping them earn more funding, check out the 'tail of Nowzad Dogs available in Amazon.

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Our New Addition to the Family: A Peke Like No Other

Never Ending Story's Mini-Falkor

You must be wondering why we've been offline for so long. Having so many dogs (and so many happy hearts) is a blast, but with Whitey's passing and Buchi's skin problems, it's just utter chaos.

This is four-year-old Asti. She was given to us by a family who had to leave for the US. She's a white Pekingese who just loves the her blue bone squeaker.

SLOBBERS!!!

The pekingese is an ancient breed. They are large barkers and independent thinkers. This white pekingese loves have her belly rubbed. She also likes having her fur combed, and she enjoys being bathed.

Yes! She LOVES baths...

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Cheezy Shares his Story on Why Spaying and Neutering is Important

Remember when I said I would never allow the dogs to blog? Well, I was wrong. Seeing as I am running out of ideas, I am now passing the "keyboard torch" to Cheezy. 

My BIG Cheezy Story 

by Cheezy

Hey folks! Let me just tell you I wasn't exactly adopted. In fact, my story isn't life changing (my life- an exception, of course). 

I still can't understand how someone could abandon this smug-looking face of mine. Don't you think I'm cute?

I was a wee-puppy when I got picked up by the BIG MAN. I and my siblings were left in a box at the corner of an unknown house without our mommy or daddy with us. 

We stayed there the entire morning, but nobody wanted us. 

See, I'm uber-talented that I don't need Photoshop to edit my super cute puppy pictures.

Knowing that we would probably end up in the pound, the lady of the unkown house began giving us away to her neighbors calling out, "Who wants a puppy?". 

It was lunch time when the BIG MAN came walking from his office to his BIG HOME. He saw us in box but did not take a closer look. 

So he continues walking home until he arrives at the front door. Then he tells his BIG FAMILY and Haopee that there were puppies without a mom or dad being given away by the lady next door. 

Remember that tortured Kong ball...

Haopee was hesitant at first. Getting a dog was a really BIG RESPONSIBILITY for the BIG FAMILY. Fortunately for me, Haopee says, "Okay. One BIG HAPPY FAMILY of DOGS it is."

So there you have it, the BIG MAN picks me up from the box and brings me home to meet my new brothers.

This is Coal, me and Puppy trying to mess with the landscape. We were caught red-handed.

Now I'm about a year old living the life of a BIG DOG (literally speaking) and I've been happily staying in the BIG HOUSE with my BIG FAMILY thanks to the BIG MAN and his BIG HEART. Oh, and Haopee is just fat, so she isn't categorically qualified to be in this BIG STORY.

Moral of the Story:

Spay and neuter if you want to ensure a puppy-free, accident-free life. I mean it! The initial cost is somewhat expensive, but it'll save you tons of vet visits and puppy problems.

Also, puppies are cute, but they grow into big dogs. I am about 25 kilos (or more) right now. That's 10 times my weight 11 months ago!

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200 Million Veterinary Visits Every Year Dog Infographics

Special thanks to Brown Mackie for providing this infographic.

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A Puppy Story... Some Thoughts on Raising a Puppy

Who doesn't love puppies? Don't we all just love how their big eyes stare at us? Don't we all laugh at their clumsiness and playful attitude? 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Well, here's the thing, before you get a puppy, please remember that puppies take up a lot of work, especially if you want them to grow into refined canine citizens. Also, there are a lot of puppies and dogs in shelters and pounds. So... before you decide on buying one, consider adopting a homeless dog. As for owners who prefer less energetic dogs, adopting a senior dog should be at the top of your list.

Now, back to the puppy story.

A one day old puppy.  And no, those aren't my hands.

During Puppy's first day, he can't see or hear anything. His ears and eyes will open in the days to come, but for now, he'll simply have to rely on scent.

They'll be sleeping most of the time at this stage.

This puppy is learning social gestures. I think he thinks he's going to receive regurgitated food by licking the big dog's muzzle.

Once he learns to walk, he'll play with others and get a first-hand lesson on how dogs communicate. In a family environment, this includes bite inhibition, respecting the elders and knowing how to deal with annoying humans.

This turtle toy or any dog-safe stuffed animal can serve as a great chew toy.

They become very curious of their surroundings and are usually impulsive chewers. Toys can save your furniture. It is important to keep a puppy's mental state stimulated with toys and play dates with other littermates.  Remember, a tired puppy is a happy puppy. 

During this time, puppies can begin learning about potty training and crate training.

Poor puppy hates his first bath.

With a new environment comes new challenges for the puppy. There will be vaccinations, vet visits, neutering/spaying, dog registration (depending on where you live), obedience classes and puppy's dreaded bath!

Cute puppy hiding behind the potted plants.

Often times, they will hide from you just to avoid baths and vet visits (assuming they already have an idea on how these events happen e.g. human holding a leash, human turning the car on, human bringing in the crate).

Once they're vaccinated, exposing a puppy to different environments and characters can help in honing their behavior. 

Exposing puppies to different people, dogs and environments, desensitizes them from potential foreign objects/being that they may fear. It's a great way to teach them to restrain anger and aggression towards nuisances such as roughhousing and territorial behaviors from other dogs.

Here's a good example of puppy toy guarding.

Some dogs tend to be aggressive if behaviors such as extreme toy and food bowl guarding aren't corrected. It is important for owners to understand that even when it looks cute and adorable, puppies are still dogs and like babies are needed to be taught proper behavior so the grow up into good dogs.

Additional Notes:

-If you want a dog, adopt one from your local pound or shelter.

-If you prefer a puppy, still check out your local pound or shelter.

-If you don't want to adopt a puppy, make sure to buy one from a reputable breeder.

-A puppy, when raised right, is a great companion. 

-Dogs have a long lifespan (more or less). Be sure you are ready for a 8-18 year commitment.

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Blogging for Dogs

Inform... Support... Donate... Volunteer... Adopt

I am blessed. I have met fellow dog enthusiasts after putting up this blog. I truly appreciate the people who have visited us and shared with us their experiences with their dogs. Once again, thank you.

Meet the Mastermind!

A Purpose... 

The purpose of this dog blog is to disperse information. My aim was to inform both International and Filipino dog lovers that there's more to loving our dogs.

The Pack...

Having a pack of 9 dogs is no walk in the park. We have taken strays before and we've experienced hard times juggling finances and providing them with adequate physical care, proper structure and mental stimulation.

The Messages I've Received....

There are days that I am quite taken aback by some of the emails I receive. Some of them are from people who share their problems with their dogs, others tend to ask me where my pet store is and there are also others who ask me if I sell puppies.

Pro-Adoption....

I have always made it clear that I am pro-adoption and I hope that people will someday take the initiative to visit their respected shelters (and pounds) to find an adoptable dog candidate.

Expectations...

If you ask me medical advice, I will do my best to share my knowledge about it. However, nothing will ever beat bringing your dog to the vet for a check-up.

If you ask me about adoption, I will try to locate a shelter. However, please do not expect me to give you a purebred dog or any dog for that matter.

If you ask me about pet items, please be informed that I do not own a pet supplies store. However, I've dreamed of putting up one in the future. It'll hopefully give me a chance to interact and share my knowledge and experiences to fellow pet owners.

If you ask me about dog behavioral issues, I will try to provide you with possible solutions. However, please don't expect me to be Cesar Millan or Victoria Stilwell.

Hopes and Dreams...

Whether it is an excuse or not, I admit that my resources are limited. I might not be able to do large scale rescues, take action on an email asking me to rescue a puppy or volunteer my time in a shelter, but I want to help in ways I am capable of.

For now, it'll certainly involve blogging and information assistance..

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Benefits of Owning an Aspin / Askal

Chooey Update: Chooey's doing a lot better. She's recovering pretty well. I've taken off the Cone of Shame during day time as she's no longer fighting the bandage tape muzzle that was made by the vet for her jaw bone to recover. She's on strict dog soft diet and she's crated every night.

You must be wondering what I am talking about.  Seeing as most of my bloggy friends are non-Filipinos, I'll be giving  a short definition of an askal/aspin.

Brother dog is a full-fledged, 100% genuine aspin. He's been with us for a long time now. He's probably 7 or even older.

An aspin or an askal is a dog native to the Philippines.  They are often found in streets and homes of the average Filipino family.  They are independent,  cunning and street smart (literally speaking).  Askals/ aspins are often categorized as mongrels, mutts and mixes, but I still personally like calling them street dogs because of their intelligence (and persistence) in finding their own food and evasion skills as escape artists. You don't normally learn that in a sheltered environment.

Literal Translations:

Askal -  asong kalye -  street dog
Aspin -  asong Pinoy -  Filipino dog

Why should you adopt an Askal or Aspin from your local pound? 

1. Most askals/aspins are food-driven. They're not picky on training treats. 

2. Aspins/ Askals normally thrive on people food, but dog food works wonders on them. I give mine Bow Wow dog food and their coats have turned extra shiny. 

3. Aspins make great models for photography. 

The camera may have the wrong settings, but dear Ginger's pictures will always be perfect.

4. Since the askal / aspin family tree is so diverse,  the tendency for them to have genetic diseases are slim to nothing. 

5. A little training goes a long way. Food rewards are highly effective. Saver the Wonder Dog is one of Philippines' most famous askal.

Note: Don't be discouraged by their stubbornness.  You'd  be surprised how easily they learn the rest of the tricks once they've gotten the first one right.

6. Most askals/ aspins have survived without vaccinations through  the years.  This means that most of them have built an immunity against highly contagious diseases.

Note: Fortunately,  due to government programs providing free anti-rabies vaccinations,  the rate of rabies infection in cities have decreased.

7. They're far cheaper to adopt.  Some Philippine pet shelters already have their dogs and cats spayed / neutered and vaccinated. 

Note: The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) charges an adoption fee of 500 php for cats and 1000 php for dogs. These pets are all neutered/spayed, rabies vaccinated, groomed and dewormed before adopted out.

8. They require less maintenance than purebred dogs. 

Bottom line,  aspins / askals are great dogs to take care of. And some city pounds are teeming with them. So do VISIT THEM before you buy that puppy in the pet store or online ad.

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Dog Adoption in Marikina City, Philippines

Pet adoption from dog pounds in the Philippines isn't something most people are aware of.

Drop by the Marikina City Veterinary Office Impounding Area if you're planning to add a dog in your family.

Did you know that you could adopt a pet from Marikina CVO's Impounding Area? According to Marikina City's website, pet adoption is best done during Fridays.

Did you know that the average cost of adoption there is at 500 php?

Did you also know that there are a lot of dogs there hoping to find their forever home? In fact, I've found a few purebred ones still waiting for someone to get them. Last I checked, there was a German Shepherd Pup, a chocolate brown Poodle and a Chow-chow who's just dying to get a chance on a second life.

Before you decide to buy from a breeder or a pet store, please don't forget to drop by your local pound.

But that's not the only interesting dog being kept in the Marikina City Veterinary Office Impounding Area, we also found a white (or cream colored) beauty who just stands up and wags its tail whenever a stranger approaches it. I couldn't explain the expression in that dog's eyes. I'm calling him/her Tuesday because that's when they caught him/her.

View Marikina City Veterinary Office Impounding Area in a larger map 

Now that you know... Before you go browsing through online websites for cute adorable purebreds and mixed breds, drop by your local pound. You might be surprised with what you may find.

A lot of people have posted their rants about Marikina's way of impounding dogs. Before you post your complaints, I suggest you read RA 9482: The Anti-Rabies Act, this article from PAWS titled My Dog is Taken to the Pound. Is this legal?, and a list of Philippine some local pounds around Metro Manila.

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7 Reasons to Adopt a Dog From a Rescue Shelter (Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue)

Today is the 23rd of July. According to Leslie from Bringing Up Bella, today is a day for us bloggers to make a difference for homeless dogs all over the world. I and my pack have decided to participate and put some extra effort in this post.

BLOGGERS UNITE FOR DOG RESCUE

On July 23rd, BtC4A, in coordination with Dog Rescue Success and Blog Catalog, is hosting a global blogging event to promote dog adoption. "Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue" invites everyone to spread the word about how important dog rescue and adoption is to the lives of so many animals.

Still not convinced after watching this video? How about knowing you've given a homeless dog a good home and a future? 

I'm pretty sure the reasons above should suffice. Still, here are MORE reasons why it is better to adopt a dog from a rescue shelter.

1. Rescue shelters know more about their dogs compared to average shelters because rescuers spend more one-on-one time with them. Rescuers are usually able to tell potential owners of the dog's interaction with other dogs or pets, children and strangers.

2. Dogs from rescue shelters are already vaccinated, spayed or neutered and usually microchipped. This definitely saves you multiple visits to the vet.

3. The adoption fee for a dog coming from a shelter is far less than the price of a puppy from a breeder. Check out adoption events in your locality. Some adoption events have discounted adoption charges and others even have free goodie bags (consisting of dog bowls, collars, leashes, and doggy toys).

4. Not all dogs in the shelter have issues. Other dogs end up there due to being unwanted.

5. A rescue dog may come with a bag of tricks. Some are potty-trained and others even know a handful of commands.

6. If it doesn't bode well with you and your new dog, you can bring the dog back to the rescue and know that he will be safe. But don't give up just yet, some dogs just take a little longer to come out of their shell.

7. Some rescue groups offer short health guarantees. Others take it up a notch by offering to split health bills and navigate you through unforeseen situations.

References:

Rosenfield, B. (2002) The Complete Single's Guide to Being a Dog Owner. USA, Adams Media.

Ewing, S. (2007) Poodles for Dummies. USA, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Blast from the Past Related Posts:

Why Do They Breed?

Planning on Getting a Christmas Puppy?
Rescue a Dog this Holiday

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Planning on Getting a Christmas Puppy?

So, thinking of buying a puppy for your loved ones this Christmas? You might have to think twice with that.

For one thing, Christmas is a hectic holiday. A lot of spending and shopping would take place. Even creating snow angels and snowmen are added in the picture. Remember, you'll also have to buy your new dog his necessities.

A number of experts have agreed that Christmas isn't the best time to get a puppy. Most reputable breeders don't usually allow puppy purchasing directly before or after Christmas for the concern that owners may not be able to take care of them.

If you have small children in your household, Christmas is definitely not the best time to introduce a new dog. Remember that one of the most basic things a puppy or dog should learn once joining a family is the household rules- which includes potty training and house training. 

On the other hand, people who are generally free during Christmas (like adults or families with older children) can focus their free time in giving the puppy some needed attention. 

Either way, I suggest that before you rush into the pet store or breeder to get that cute doggy on display, remember that you'll have to give him at least 2 to 3 hours each day (and that's the least of it.)

NOTE: Contrary to what I've just said, it'd still be a great idea to adopt a homeless pet from the shelter or pound- if you do succumb to the pressures of holiday giving. Not only will you feel an overwhelming sense of happiness, but you'll also have given some dog the gift of a home and family. It's a win-win situation.

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