You’ve heard the saying “A dog is a man’s best friend” right? Well, I agree. We have 3 fur babies at home - Pepper (dachsund), Cooper (pug) and Big Bertha (rottweiller) - these are my “forever babies”. Why do I say that? Well, because they will always depend on me and my family for love, food, shelter and attention - and I’m ok with that. Dogs are social animals who see the humans around them as their pack and they become strongly attached to those humans.Dogs are a lot of fun and a wonderful addition to most families. However, if you have never had a pet dog before, know that having one can be a lot of work.

If you are ever considering having dogs for pets, here are some things to consider:

Dogs are social and do best when not left alone. If you are not going to keep the dog inside then consider getting two dogs so that they can keep each other company - this is why we have 3 dogs. They enjoy playing with each other and they keep each other occupied. Even if you have more than one dog, plan on spending some time with your pet/s.

Socialization takes at least one half hour every morning and about one hour every evening. Like children, the younger the dog, the more time is needed for you to interact with them.

Dogs love routine and if you start them at an early age - you will both have a heck of a great time. Our dogs go out and play in the backyard at about 7:00am when I we wake up to let them out. They get to spend an hour or two out playing in the backyard and then it’s time to come inside for some downtime. They know not to go potty inside the house and they usually will scratch on the door when they need to go out - kind of their way to let me know that they need a potty break. The dogs know when the kids get home from school it’s time to play - they love that! They only eat once a day at the same time so they will complain if I am running late.

Finally, dogs are a long-term commitment - with many breeds living twenty years or more. Be sure you are ready for such a relationship before you commit to having a dog join your family.

I love my fur babies so much - it’s great that I can whine and vent out to them when I have no one else to talk to. My favorite part is that they give me unconditional love, something that you can not get from all members of your family.

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Ok, so the children have been bugging you for a pet. How do you know if they are ready for one? Choosing an appropriate pet for the family requires you to do some research. Below are some tips that can help you figure out what pet to get for your kids.

Know that once you have made a decision about the kind of pet you are getting, it will will be you who will wind up taking care of it. To this end, the questions you have to ask are: Do you have the time to take care of this pet?  Do you have the space the pet may require? Do you have the money to care for this pet? What type of pet should I get?  These are valid questions which can determine if and when you should buy a pet.

The age of the children plays a major role in determining what pet is suitable for them. If you have small children, a puppy may be more suitable. For example: A Bijou would be more suitable for younger children as they are friendly, love children, and easy to care for.  Another pet to consider is a dachshund.  They are wonderful house pets, and pose no problem to small children.  In addition, they make superb guard dogs. A larger dog, depending on your kid’s ages, may be suitable, but make sure to do your research first.

However, you may want to get pets of other species like a fish, hamster, gerbil, or cat; but make sure to research first, especially for the hamster and the gerbil, as they require special needs. It is never a good idea to buy or adopt a pet on a whim; make sure you understand what is involved and ensure your entire family is committed to taking care of any pet that comes into your home.

The best thing to do in choosing a perfect pet for your family is to research and to talk to other pet owners.  Figure out which pet would be best suited for your kids; and for you, since you may be the one taking care of it for th emost part. You may want to take a trip to your local animal shelter, there are plenty of homeless dogs and cats who need a loving home.

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I’m sure you have heard the saying, ” A dog is a man’s best friend.” This is so true - not only for man but for his family too. Below are some reasons why having a pet benefits you family.

When kids ask for a pet, parents usually take them to the local pound so they can pick their first pet dog. This is such an exciting and special time. Sometimes, pets are given as gifts. That’s a lot of fun too especially if they have been begging to have a pet dog for months. But let’s face it - the whole fmily falls in love with the pet.

Pets give unconditional love; always. They trust you’ll take care of them at every turn, and they return the favor by taking care of you.  After a long day at work, you come home to find your pet waiting for you at the front door; excitedly jumping up and down at your arrival.  They are a comfort to kids when sick; and to the old when infirmed. Some dogs even have a sixth sense when you are ill and unaware of the problem.  They can sense danger; and guard you and your family when necessary.  They instinctively know when they’ve been naughty, and look to you for forgiveness.  They comfort you in time of need like no other human. They can sense sadness and, when you pass, they mourn.

Pets need love and attention too. The sad thing is that sometimes, pets end up with a family that neglects and mistreats them. That is so sad because the pets are so helpless.

If you have the time to care for a pet and a big enough area where you can house one, you should consider adopting a pet. Did you know that animals are put to sleep unless we afford them the opportunity to live in a home with a loving family.

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