Write a commentThe reasons why people want dogs are as varied as the number of breeds available. Taking the time to really think about the question and formulating an honest answer is well worth the effort. The benefits to identifying your reason(s) for wanting a dog will be the foundation from which you will start your search for the right companion.
Though by no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the more common reasons people give for wanting to share their lives with a dog:
-- People like coming home to a dog at the end of a long day of work. The house doesn’t feel as empty and more often than not your dog is thrilled to have you walk through the door. They provide us with a pleasant diversion from the daily grind. There is nothing quite like cuddling with our dogs and settling into our comfortable couches as we let the stress of the day melt away.
-- We want our children to have the experience of growing up with a dog. Its believed dog ownership provides children an opportunity to learn about responsibility. Many parents fondly remember growing up with a beloved family dog.
-- Dogs help us to be more physically active and social. Each day our dogs need to be walked and exercised, preferably beyond their own backyard. We quickly learn all the other dog’s names that live in our neighborhood and sometimes we even learn the names of their owners. If not we just refer to them as ‘Daisy’s mom or dad’. Our daily schedule revolve around these morning and evening walks.
-- The weekend warriors among us head for the great outdoors on the weekends or during vacation with their dogs beside them to enjoy the likes of running, hiking, camping and snowshoeing. There are few things as enjoyable as watching your dog explore the world of scent as they negotiate their way over, under and around the obstacles nature puts in their path as you venture through the woods together.
-- Service and therapy dogs are capable of helping us accomplish physical tasks and providing us with emotional support. They have a job and often appear as though its the only thing that matters to them. It is a special dog indeed that can fill this special niche.
I’ve painted with a wide brush here and I know that the reasons laid out above are not mutually exclusive or the only reasons why people want to live with a dog. But, I’ve chosen them to demonstrate just how varied the reasons can be. Knowing why you or your family wants to get a dog is critical to identifying if living with a dog is right for you. Consider your families current activity level, interests, commitment to the task of raising a good dog and daily schedule, as you discuss the why. Being honest with yourselves at the beginning of this discussion can help you make the right decision and save you grief and heart ache later.
Our next article will discuss choosing who will be responsible for the new dog and where do the expenses fit into your family budget.
