I once heard a quote that said "Getting a pet is like inviting a little tragedy into your home." Though light hearted, it rings so very true. From training to frustration to love to some more frustration and even more love and eventually leading to an (always) untimely death. Pets, particularly dogs, provide a companionship that cannot be matched with humans. The never ending loyalty and acceptance that a dog has for its owner being just a small part, I would recommend any caring person with enough time and space to get a dog. They fill your home and your heart with warmth.
What is only half true is the sentiment that dog is mans best friend. With the recent loss of my cocker spaniel Murphy I was reminded as to how important our furry little friends are to both men and women. I think that women (being the naturally more sensitive of the human species) have an ability to connect with animals that men don't always experience. From my experience (29 years of life with 2 dogs at all times, prior to the pet rabbit, guinea pig, cat, fish, gerbils etc.), it's very often the female owners that suffer the greatest loss when a pet passes on. For those of us that love animals and take them into our homes, we accept these little crazy beings as part of the family. They take on quirks often similar to that of their owners, carve a place into our hearts and nestle up in there until their hold has taken over any ability we have to be disheartened by pets or animals whether ours or any other human beings.
My sensitivity to animals is tripled when I witness things like lost dogs without collars on, runaways that are so eager for human affection that they come up to strangers wagging their tale and hoping for a pat or two. I feel some days like the universe knows this and therefore sends many a stray dog my way. I have come in contact with at least a dozen stray dogs in the last year and each time I feel the strong need to take them home and care for them, though I know this isn't always the answer, I still feel that strong pull.
One day while driving home from work I witnessed two adult mutts strolling the street seemingly unscathed by the busy traffic and hustle and bustle around them. Without an owner, I immediately feel a strong sad/angry feeling that always comes with seeing an animal being mistreated (I consider leaving a dog outside so that it can easily run away, to be mistreated). I pull over my car and roll down the window hoping to get a better look at the two mangy mutts that have taken to this particular street. Instead of running or darting away, they both begin to wag their tails so hard that their whole bodies shake...assuming maybe that I was their owner? The most daring of the two comes over, puts his paws up on the car and sticks his happy face in the now-open window.
Now how is it possible for someone who made the conscious decision to purchase or acquire this dog, to leave him in a situation where he could escape? It's not that difficult...close door, lock door. Don't leave dog outside all day. Maybe it's like the people that shouldn't have children...some should NEVER own dogs.
