Dog Talk

My apologies in advance if you expect me to post any amazing recipes or song lyrics on this blog. It will never happen. For one thing, I view cooking as a last resort survival tactic and don't particularly enjoy it. Secondly, people are very picky about their music and I don't have the varied knowledge of my friend W, who is the ultimate hipster. Speaking of W (or as we scholars like to refer to him, Dubs), he also has a blog, and we're undertaking this Thursday posting thing together. Check out www.whtlander.blogspot.com today for a new post!!

Back on topic! I will tell you this: I always listen to music while I write anything, especially this blog, and even I am attempting to learn how to cook. Why? Because I will not eat ramen noodles and macaroni in college. Another thing you should know: my brain is utterly fried from perfecting college essays this week, and if this post is a tad lackluster, you can blame TAMU and TTU.

Today I want to talk about my favorite subject in the entire world: dogs. I have decided to address a few things that, quite frankly, really make me irate. DISCLAIMER: this post is based on my own observation and experience. I don't claim to be an expert, just very well-versed on this topic from a lifetime of loving dogs (and watching Cesar Milan on Dog Whisperer).

If you've read my Simple Curiosity post, you know that dogs have always been an integral part of my life. They're the truest friends, willing listeners, and the only creatures on earth that love you more than you love yourself. Agriculturally speaking, they are indispensable and unparalleled in their skill at working livestock, proving themselves man's best friend time and again.

We all love stories like Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Marley & Me. We expect our dogs to have that kind of undying loyalty. We expect our relationship with our dogs to be effortless and rewarding. But what some people can't seem to understand is that it does take effort. Forming that magic bond with your animal starts before you even bring him/her home. You must make an informed decision, and I cannot stress that enough. That doesn't mean you must decide on the cutest breed or a size that's convenient for your lifestyle. You have to go beyond that and consider temperment, grooming, and medical needs. The most expensive dog is not necessarily the healthiest or the best suited for you and these are all things you have to be aware of.

It frustrates me to no end when first-time dog owners or owners who are not necessarily willing or able to invest the time choose a high-energy or highly intelligent breed such as a border collie or a terrier. You can't stick these dogs in a pen in your backyard or a kennel in your apartment. These dogs will need stimulation, an outlet for their energy, and will not function or be happy without it. Throwing a tennis ball a couple of times in the backyard is not going to cut it. You might actually have to dig out a leash and collar and take a few laps around the block. And not every now and then, but several times a week if you really want to do your dog justice.

And if you want to be able to walk your dog down the street or through the park without them pulling your arm out of its socket or embarrassing you, this will also take effort. It's not magic, but you do have to be very pesistant and unwilling to settle for less than the appropriate behavior. This is especially difficult with terrier breeds, as they are headstrong and without a strong-willed, experienced handler, can be exasperating to train for all that they are incredibly smart. Laboradors are another breed that can be challenging to train, simply because they are so goofy and are essentially puppies until they're 3 or 4 years old. You wonder why they chew up your stuff? Because, though they are extremely popular and make great family dogs, they are not meant to hang out in the house all day. They're retrievers. They love to work. And even if you're not a big bird hunter, exercise and providing them with some kind of stimulation is imperative.

The last thing I want to address is the tendency to pick the purebred toy breeds such as chihuahuas, yorkshire terriers, and shih-tzus. Yeah, they're cute. Yeah, they're pretty portable. Yeah, they make great lap dogs, if you're into that. But you can't bring home the adorable pint-sized puppy, put down some newspapers, and expect the poor thing to figure it out. First of all, if you plan on keeping the dog primarily in the house, you have to curb behavior such as incessant barking, rushing the door when people come in, and jumping on the furniture uninvited. If the dog runs the house, there's something wrong. Also, be aware that if you don't appropriately discipline these dogs, they can get out of control. There's nothing more annoying or embarrassing than an ankle-biter when you have people over. And that's part of the fun of having a great, balanced, well-behaved dog - showing 'em off!

This is my best friend - Australian shepherd mix, Tuff. ♥

 

To wrap up this half-blog-post, half-vent-session, I will simply say that if you're in the market for a new best friend, the best place to start is your local animal shelter. Doesn't have to be the humane society. Your city or county animal control is also a great place to consider. Don't hit the local paper right off the bat, looking for a breeder near you. Give the mutts a chance. It's a great feeling to save a life. 


- Shelbs