There is hair everywhere! Why does it smell in here? Who went through the garbage?
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If any of you have been blessed at one point or another with a beloved dog, you may have stumbled across yourself saying this numerous times a day. Having a dog is not just a new present, or a temporary guest in your home. They are like children, and desire love, companionship, and know they are always going to be a part of your family. In today's world people are forgetting how big of a responsibility it is to have a four-pawed family member.
"A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings
Whether you have been gone for 12 minutes or 12 hours, a dog will almost always welcome you with those warm big eyes and slobbery tongues. Having a dog is like having a life time friend, new family member and a counselor who can only listen. They need love and care just like any other human with a pulse. A child cannot be left locked in a house for hours at a time and neither can dogs, or any animal for that matter. When committing to this tiny life, you have to know that it is a living, breathing creature. Not just something that will take up space in a home. Giving animals the love and attention they deserve is a part of being a responsible pet owner and to abuse that is utterly unfair to the life you are suppose to be caring for. Like you would for children, animals also deserve the effort you would put in to working around those long shifts, shopping trips and any other scenario to help meet basic needs -- which, for a do,g might be things such as being let out, taken for walks or simply checked on and loved. Although millions of dogs are adopted each year, some of those same dogs end back up in a shelter.
Having and caring for a family is extremely important, and like humans a dog should be there to stay. Although some circumstances may permit you from keeping such a beloved friend, a dog is not temporary. When making the decision to add a life to your family, know in advance how hard it is and really debate whether you can take care of it. Adopting a dog automatically signs you up for the responsibility of giving them a home, family, food, shelter and care. Although in puppy years they are tiny, youthful and adorable -- dogs should have a permanent stay in your home even when they become big, old and, although some may disagree, still adorable.
Being lucky enough to be blessed with a dog is such a beautiful thing. Most of you know and are lucky enough to experience the type of love and understanding they bring to your life day after day. Although millions of dogs live happy healthy lives, never forget the responsibility and commitment it takes to essentially raise another child. Like humans, they have basic needs such as using the bathroom, eating and being loved. Although your life may get in the way, never forget you are caring for someone else, and that commitment is not temporary. When adopting a dog, you should be in it for the long run. Who wouldn't want a best friend who's furry and contains endless love? To all of you dog owners out there, never forget to appreciate and love your four-legged family member.
