| With a new year - and a new decade - rapidly | | | | dog should be one that the whole family - especially |
| approaching, it is not too early to think about | | | | parents - embraces. |
| resolutions for 2010. For dog lovers, there are things | | | | - Spend time with your dogs every day. They will do |
| we can do within our own households and to help | | | | better mentally and emotionally, and you will find |
| dogs everywhere - not only in the coming year, but | | | | happiness in the unconditional love that they give in |
| throughout our lives. Adopting just one or two of | | | | return. |
| these suggestions can help you to have a more | | | | Within your community: |
| peaceful household and can help the problem of pet | | | | - Help put an end to puppy mills. Never purchase a |
| overpopulation and neglect in your community. | | | | pet from a pet store, backyard breeder, or over the |
| Within our own families: | | | | internet, as the majority of these dogs are born and |
| - Take Fido for a walk every day - not only will the | | | | bred in atrocious conditions (and their parents suffer |
| exercise help him stay fit, but canine physical activity | | | | even more, as they are forced to breed over and |
| helps to keep dogs calmer and better behaved - and | | | | over again, spending their entire lives in cramped and |
| the walk will help your fitness, too! | | | | filthy cages, with limited food, water, veterinary care |
| - Provide good quality food and clean water to help | | | | and no human companionship). These pets tend to |
| maintain Fido's overall health and well-being | | | | suffer from any number of health problems in |
| - Keep Fido up-to-date on vaccinations and | | | | addition to being subjected to unbelievable cruelty |
| heartworm and flea preventives to keep him healthy | | | | and neglect. |
| and safe, and go for veterinary care if any health | | | | - When you do decide to bring home a new pet, |
| problems arise. | | | | adopt from a shelter or rescue group. Approximately |
| - Always make sure your dog has current | | | | 25% of shelter pets are purebred, and many offer |
| identification, including collar and tags and a microchip. | | | | "pet match" programs to help you find the right dog |
| So many dogs end up in shelters because they get | | | | for you. Breed rescue groups also offer wonderful |
| out of yards and no one is able to locate their | | | | pets for adoption. When you adopt a rescue dog, |
| owners, and it is so easy to remedy with | | | | they somehow know that you have offered them a |
| identification. | | | | chance at a better life, and offer unbelievable love |
| - Spay and neuter your pets - for intact male dogs in | | | | and loyalty in return. Help save a life - with three to |
| particular, the instinct to roam in search of a lady is | | | | four million adoptable pets euthanized at shelters |
| very strong, and a large number of stray dogs are | | | | every year, saving just one can ultimately make a big |
| un-neutered boys. Spaying and neutering also helps | | | | difference - by adopting a shelter dog. |
| with the problem of pet overpopulation throughout | | | | - Support your local shelters. Give your time - most |
| the country, and provides health benefits for your | | | | shelters welcome volunteers to help clean, walk, |
| own pets. | | | | socialize, foster or help with pet adoptions. Donate |
| - Don't keep your dog confined for long periods, or | | | | food, toys, or money - with the economic downturn, |
| keep him outside alone. Dogs are pack animals, and | | | | many non-profits have suffered financially as well, |
| do best when they are part of the family and can | | | | and every little bit helps. Organize donation drives or |
| spend time with their people and other pets. | | | | fund-raising projects in your communities. |
| - Don't give up on your dog if he has behavior | | | | - Pick up a stray and take him to a local shelter. |
| problems - make the decision to work with him, with | | | | Carry a spare leash and treats in your care to help |
| the help of trained professionals if necessary, to | | | | save one life from ending tragically along a busy road. |
| resolve problem behaviors. | | | | - Report any suspected abuse or dog fighting to local |
| - Before you get a dog, ask yourself if you are | | | | authorities. In many areas, chaining dogs outside is |
| prepared for a commitment that can last ten to | | | | illegal, as is neglect to the point of starvation. Ending |
| twenty years. Anyone who has ever seen the | | | | dog fighting has become a national endeavor. The |
| heartbreak and bewilderment of dogs surrendered to | | | | more we all speak up, the more attention these |
| shelters after being part of a loving home will always | | | | problems will receive. |
| ask themselves "how could anyone do that?" | | | | If every one of us helps just a little bit, in the grand |
| - Never bring home a dog "for the kids" - even the | | | | scheme of things it will add up to making a big |
| best-intentioned children will lose interest in the daily | | | | difference! From my pack to yours, we wish you all a |
| chores of pet care, or become involved with other | | | | "Yappy New Year. |
| activities as they grow. The decision to bring home a | | | | |