YOUR WALKING BUDDY

The Joys of Dog Ownership

By Amy Sacks

Bringing a new dog into your family is an incredibly rewarding experience. From a hiking partner to a snuggle buddy and everything in between, a dog can enrich every aspect of your life. There are few moments more gratifying than taking a stroll along the Oregon coast or hiking Black Butte with your trusty companion racing alongside.

In order to select the right dog for your family and lifestyle there are three main factors you should consider:

Activity Level: Do your outdoor activities include jogging and biking or do you tend to enjoy leisurely walks and relaxing camping trips? Very young dogs and certain working breeds require significantly more attention, training, and exercise than others. Active dogs such as labs, heelers, shepherds, and terriers make wonderful running and cycling partners. These dogs are best suited for people who can devote at least an hour each day to take a jog, make a trip to the dog park, or involve them in some kind of athletic activity.
Age: Everyone, including myself, has stopped on the street to ooh and ah over an adorable little puppy. There is no denying the cuteness of a very young dog, but it is important to remember that puppies are an enormous amount of work. Much like babies, they potty in places they shouldn’t, they often cry throughout the night, and they require constant attention and supervision. For active individuals seeking an instant outdoor companion, puppies are usually not an ideal choice because they won’t be ready for that level of activity until they are at least six months old. They’ll also need a lot of basic training (learning how to behave indoors and out), which means less time frolicking in the park.
The best advice I can give regarding breed selection is this: Do your homework. Research several breeds and learn about their temperaments. Some breeds are better suited for families with children while others are perfect for older individuals seeking a mellow companion.

Once the decision has been made to bring a new dog into your family, it is time to start your search. As a rescuer I firmly support adoption over purchasing a dog from a breeder or pet store. Unfortunately dedicated shelter workers in this country are forced to put down millions of animals a year because there just aren’t enough homes for them all.

Many people find shelters difficult to navigate or emotionally overwhelming. The answer is simple: Use the Internet! Websites such as www.petfinder.com and www.1-800-save-a-pet.com serve as national databases to bring together people seeking a new pet and animals in need of loving homes.

Every independent rescue, humane society, and shelter in the country uses these incredible sites to post their cats and dogs and make them visible to the public. These websites are easy to navigate. All you have to do is plug in where you live and the breed of dog you would like to find, and the site does the rest. You can scroll through thousands of potential companions, see their pictures, and read their stories. The websites help you choose the perfect dog to suit your lifestyle.

Many of these dogs have spent time living with a previous owner or in a foster home and are potty trained, have great house manners, and already know their commands. This is a definite plus for new owners looking to avoid the enormous amount of work generally needed during that first year after adoption.

Of course the best part about adopting a dog is that you are giving an animal in need the best gift in the world, a loving forever home.

I can promise that a rescue dog that has spent three months in a noisy shelter will appreciate a long hike in the gorge more than words can explain.

Amy Sacks is the Executive Director of the Pixie Project, a non-profit animal adoption center and pet supply store. The Pixie Project takes in animals from high volume county shelters and adopts them out to a family friendly nurturing environment. For more information visit www.pixieproject.org or call 503-758-3165. Located at 510 NE MLK Blvd., Portland, OR 97232.