Love Your Dogs

Image via Wikipedia

I know a lot of dog lovers, and they all seem to express their appreciation for their canine companions in different ways.  Regardless of what kind of relationship you have with your dog, it’s special… because dogs are special.

Dogs earn their keep.  They love you back. They’re always there for you, and they always want your praise.  They are eternally forgiving, and they teach you important concepts like loyalty.

Perhaps most importantly, they protect you.  Dogs of all sizes can alert you to danger and act as a deterrent to theft and other break-ins.  They can even protect you from violent encounters.  Dogs are notoriously territorial, and criminals know this.  Having a dog in your house could be more valuable than installing a security system.

Recently, someone robbed a house in a neighboring township.  The thief stole mostly jewelry and other small valuables.  Although the house did not have an active security system, it looked as though it probably did.  Instead, the homeowners had a dog.  And for the past ten years that the family occupied this house, the dog had been alive and well.  About a month before the theft, the dog was euthanized.

A dog’s absence does not go unnoticed.

Keep the company of dogs.  And, if you’re in the market for a canine buddy, adopt one from a shelter rather than purchase one from a breeder.  There are millions of homeless dogs in the United States, and millions of animals are euthanized each year simply for being homeless.  No type of dog is better than another: Rescue one and support the efforts of your local animal shelter.  Save a life, save some money, and gain a friend.

And love your dogs.

 

© Alexis Jenny, 2011.

Related Articles

• Marion County dog shelter at capacity (bendbulletin.com)
• Pet adoption story: Highway and Adam Evans (knoxnews.com)
• Alaska shelter strained by 157 starved, rescued dogs (reuters.com)

February 6th: Winter Photos of 2010

Our dogs entertain us. Here, SoCo and Skyy tread snow in our backyard.

Skyy, the Pit mix, is actually about 60 lbs of dog despite how the snow dwarfs her.                                                                                       SoCo smiles.

This is our street, in the most pristine condition.  Our Ranger is holding more snow than it weighs.  When I finished dusting, no, heaving, the snow off the hood, it suddenly appeared miniaturized.  But after hours of clearing the driveway, the day proved to be quite spectacular, and at the very least, lots of fun.

 

All photos © Alexis Jenny, 2010-2011.