Every household needs a new dog occasionally. I know that there are lots of people who wouldn't consider having a pet and there are some who think only cats are appropriate pets. But for me the only criteria in having a pet is that you treat them as rational thinking four legged friends. Not as dumb animals who can be ignored or mistreated at will...do that and you will be no friend of mine.
But I have to admit that having a new puppy sometimes makes me wonder if it's worth the extra work. Shortly after we acquired a 6 year old Papillion we had a chance to be adopted by an 8 week old Long Hair Chihuahua / Papillion mix and rapidly found we were being maneuvered by a 3 pound bundle of energy who knows that the best way to get her way is to jump in your lap and flash her eyes until you melt.
But Amber makes up for her manipulate skills with her self training skills. She watched us working with the other dogs and without any urging from us she now understands the simple commands of come and stop and appears more than willing to learn all service dog commands and skills we want to teach her.
Like all rescued dogs she also seems to know that she has lucked out and now has a home for life, with warm beds, good food and lots of opportunity to train her humans. Having a new dog, with all its responsibilities is also keeping us young and active...to the extent I'm feeling positively middle aged again.
No comments:
Post a Comment