Information About Dogs

Lassie, Benji, Rin-Tin-Tin…We all have fond memories when we think of dogs. Perhaps as a child, you were one of the lucky ones in the neighborhood whose parents allowed you to pick out a puppy from the store at the local shopping mall. You brought that puppy home and gave him a name like Spot, or Lucky. You brushed his coat, showed him to your friends, and even convinced your parents to let him sleep in your room. Having a puppy was a wonderful thing, until it was time to pick up his poop and take him for a walk…and that was about the time that your puppy, became your parent’s dog.

When I was growing up, however, we had three dogs, and my parents cared for them all, so we just got the benefit of the dog without the responsibility! But for lots of families, it's the kids who want the dog and the parents who end up the carers.

Having a dog is a big responsibility, and too often children are over-eager to have one of their own. Chores are done, pennies are saved, and beds are made; all in an effort to prove to the parents that the child is deserving and responsible. The time has come and it has been decided that indeed the child has shown himself to be able to care for a puppy. Together the family visits the local animal shelter, a neighbor’s pet who has just delivered a litter, a shopping mall pet store, and perhaps even a breeder’s home. An animal is chosen, and the child is ecstatic. Gingerly carrying the young animal to the car, and jabbering about wanting to show him off to all his friends.

Upon arriving home, the young dog cowers in a corner, trying to hide from the outstretched, sticky hands of half-a-dozen 6 year olds. Eventually the puppy becomes accustomed to the noise and children, and confidently ventures around your home and yard, playing with his new owner. Time passes, and both the youth and his dog begin to grow. The child loses his baby teeth and chubby cheeks as the animal loses his soft hair, and playful yelp. It is now necessary for this dog to be taken for longer walks and to be washed and brushed once a week. His little messes on the lawn have turned into big messes, and the days grow farther apart between cleanings.

The once adorable, playful and energetic puppy has now become a full grown dog, and through the eyes of the once eager child, that dog has lost some of his appeal. The duties that the youth once swore to follow through on, have fallen on older shoulders, as parents now pick up where the child has left off. More often than not, the dog watches through the window as the boy runs outside to greet his friends.

Rather than jumping aboard every time our children’s attention turn to something new, let us nurture their own growth, so that they may see the importance of caring for a living creature. Perhaps we ought to start small with the ever popular Chia Pet, upgrade to fish and maybe even a hermit crab. Later in life, when the responsibilities of caring for another can be better understood, consider a puppy for your child; who by this time is perhaps a teenager or young adult. Dogs are beautiful and loving creatures that depend on us for many things. They indeed will be our best friend, but first, we must be theirs.