| Welcoming a young puppy or a fully grown dog into | | | | so make sure the breed can adapt to change in the |
| your home is an exciting time for any soon to be | | | | future, especially if you plan to have a baby or want |
| owner. There are many places where you can look | | | | to share your life with someone. Some breeds are |
| for your new found friend either at the pound, | | | | renowned for being over protective and even |
| through word of mouth, the newspaper, online, | | | | jealous, so make sure you choose wisely. |
| notices at a vet clinic, a pet store or through a | | | | Always choose a healthy dog, unless your willing to |
| specific breeder. | | | | care for a sick pet short term or indefinitely. Making |
| The most important thing when you're looking for a | | | | sure your dog is healthy and has proper health care is |
| dog, is to consider the breed, temperament, and size | | | | important, as it prolongs their life and can live in |
| of the animal. Choosing the dog for it's looks isn't | | | | harmony together. |
| enough, you must consider the space you have | | | | Depending on the age of the dog and where you got |
| available, the amount of time you can spend with the | | | | your pet from, this can determine if they've been |
| dog and if the breed will match your personality or | | | | vaccinated, wormed, flea treated or even sterilized. |
| future life goals. | | | | For instance pet shelters will vaccinate, worm, flea |
| If you don't have a lot of time or patience for a | | | | and neuter all animals. This helps to control unwanted |
| puppy maybe a dog that's a few years older from a | | | | pregnancy and stops infection, disease and parasite |
| pet shelter would be an option. Dogs of this age are | | | | infestations. |
| usually calmer, have already been sterilized, | | | | In some cases pre-owned pets can even be |
| vaccinated, treated for fleas, worms, and possibly | | | | micro-chipped. In a lot of countries micro-chipping has |
| micro-chipped. Pets from a shelter also come with | | | | become compulsory, in the event their lost of stolen, |
| their very own adoption papers. | | | | if found by the pound they can identify them and |
| Exploring this option can save you money and | | | | return them to their rightful owners. |
| anxiety, whilst providing you with a loving companion. | | | | Last but not least giving your dog a name is very |
| In some cases you might incur a minimal cost, | | | | important. Choose a name that can easily be |
| however the money you spend will go towards | | | | pronounced and has one or two syllables in it, like |
| providing food, shelter and health care for the other | | | | Toby or Tiny. Easy names like these will make it |
| animals in the shelter. | | | | easier for your dog to understand it' name and for |
| If you don't want to pay a large amount of money | | | | you to train your pet. For pre-owned dogs you don't |
| for a dog or care for the idea of a dog having a | | | | have the luxury of choosing another name for them, |
| monetary value, it is possible to find pets that are | | | | but, in the greater scheme of things it not about the |
| free to a good home. What ever your reasoning | | | | name it's what's inside that counts. |
| maybe you can find free pet listings through your | | | | Please remember to choose your dog wisely and |
| local newspaper, websites online, notices in a pet | | | | carefully as owning a pet will require a great deal of |
| store or through one or many vet clinics. | | | | commitment, love, affection and responsibility. |
| Just keep in mind a dog will become your best friend, | | | | |