What happened to the "And Finally..." segment of this column??
The answer, simply, is yes -- if you can, get a dog. You won't regret it.
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If you've never had a dog, talk to people who have dogs first. A good resource are veterinarians, also people who train dogs at dog training facilities -who know a lot about their behavior. They can give you an idea what's involved caring for a dog so the dog has a good healthy life - which is the important consideration, rather than what you'll get out of it.
But what you get out of it will be invaluable. A best friend, loyal companion, endless source of love, comfort & fun.
Just be absolutely sure you're willing to commit to your dog for it's full lifespan - possibly 10-16 years depending on size, general health issues. You don't want to wind up trying to 'rehome' it if something goes wrong.
Getting a shelter or rescue dog is great. But for some people - who for various reasons need to know how big their dog is going to get or about behavioral characteristics - getting a purebred isn't wrong. Someone who wants a puppy & can't have a dog bigger than 16 pounds in their condo agreement needs to consider how big a puppy is going to get.
Dogs have a right to a life of their own and to be happy and in good health. If you're not willing to spend the $$ for whatever may reasonably come & spend enough time to have a good relationship with your dog - ideally a member of the family - don't get a dog. Let someone else who is committed to really loving and caring for the dog get the dog. You have other priorities than caring for a dog.
Although God knows why.
But what you get out of it will be invaluable. A best friend, loyal companion, endless source of love, comfort & fun.
Just be absolutely sure you're willing to commit to your dog for it's full lifespan - possibly 10-16 years depending on size, general health issues. You don't want to wind up trying to 'rehome' it if something goes wrong.
Getting a shelter or rescue dog is great. But for some people - who for various reasons need to know how big their dog is going to get or about behavioral characteristics - getting a purebred isn't wrong. Someone who wants a puppy & can't have a dog bigger than 16 pounds in their condo agreement needs to consider how big a puppy is going to get.
Dogs have a right to a life of their own and to be happy and in good health. If you're not willing to spend the $$ for whatever may reasonably come & spend enough time to have a good relationship with your dog - ideally a member of the family - don't get a dog. Let someone else who is committed to really loving and caring for the dog get the dog. You have other priorities than caring for a dog.
Although God knows why.
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Every rescue dog I've met seemed emotionally damaged and I won't comment on their owners.
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Your point?
I've seen "emotional damage" reversed in dogs that have been neglected (whatever), and it's quite a wonderful thing.
I've seen "emotional damage" reversed in dogs that have been neglected (whatever), and it's quite a wonderful thing.
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Do not disagree with commenters who recommend getting a dog from a shelter but just want to point out for people who have a strong desire to get a particular breed, in addition to dogs of that breed that may be available in a shelter, you may also consider adopting a dog through a breed rescue program. Just google "[name of breed] rescue" and you will very quickly find a contact.
I have owned and competed with dogs for over 30 years. Many of those dogs have, by necessity, come from reputable breeders since I need a very specific dog for specific competitions. But for every competitive dog I have owned, I have owned a rescue of the same breed. [Note that I do not live in a city. :)] And the very very best dog I ever had in my life was actually a mixed breed.
I have owned and competed with dogs for over 30 years. Many of those dogs have, by necessity, come from reputable breeders since I need a very specific dog for specific competitions. But for every competitive dog I have owned, I have owned a rescue of the same breed. [Note that I do not live in a city. :)] And the very very best dog I ever had in my life was actually a mixed breed.
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"Buy a pup and your money will buy, love unflinching that cannot lie."
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
2
Firstly, adopt don't shop. Thousands of dogs in NYC die because they are abandonned and our so called populist mayor and the city with the richest people in the USA can't manage to fund a no kill shelter or even help badly injured or sick animals. Prefering to euthanize them.
Also make sure what the rules are where you living.A returned shelter dog doesn't get a secomd chance.
Remember NYC has no breed discrimination but a rental building can limit size and ammount of pets and a coop or condo are laws unto themselves.
If you live in public housing or an apt. building that forbids dogs or larger dogs but have a child or family member that needs a service or Emotional Security Dog
You can have one if you get an ESA waiver, in public housing or private it overrides their rules since its part of the Fair Housing Act and federal law.
Finally go to the NYC ACC and save a life.
Also make sure what the rules are where you living.A returned shelter dog doesn't get a secomd chance.
Remember NYC has no breed discrimination but a rental building can limit size and ammount of pets and a coop or condo are laws unto themselves.
If you live in public housing or an apt. building that forbids dogs or larger dogs but have a child or family member that needs a service or Emotional Security Dog
You can have one if you get an ESA waiver, in public housing or private it overrides their rules since its part of the Fair Housing Act and federal law.
Finally go to the NYC ACC and save a life.
14
What about leases that expressly forbid tenants from keeping a dog in the apartment?
1
Don't shop, adopt! My rescue is 18 months old. She's the best dog I've ever had or known. You make all the adjustments you would have to for any dog and you save a dog's life at the same time.
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DOG WALKER SUPREME
A master dog walker is Joe de la Blatt,
A professional type and a very cool cat.
He takes up to seven miscellaneous hounds
For a stroll that's within the old neighborhood bounds.
Joe picks up the pooches around breakfast time
And again in the evening, about the fifth chime,
Providing the exercise needed by all,
The fixed and the whole, both the small and the tall.
And of course there's another responsibility,
Namely keeping them regular a rare ability.
Now, the walks take as long as an hour and a half
So Joe's bathroom detail is a load, not a laugh,
And this is his exactly where his genius shines through,
Where his ingenuity rings solid and true.
Like the circus, where elephants jump through a hoop,
Joe's come up with his own time-saving group poop,
And the stuff is collected with nary a carp
In only a single, gigantical tarp.
His clients are grateful and eagerly gush
In noting his services, making him flush.
A master dog walker is Joe de la Blatt,
A professional type and a very cool cat.
He takes up to seven miscellaneous hounds
For a stroll that's within the old neighborhood bounds.
Joe picks up the pooches around breakfast time
And again in the evening, about the fifth chime,
Providing the exercise needed by all,
The fixed and the whole, both the small and the tall.
And of course there's another responsibility,
Namely keeping them regular a rare ability.
Now, the walks take as long as an hour and a half
So Joe's bathroom detail is a load, not a laugh,
And this is his exactly where his genius shines through,
Where his ingenuity rings solid and true.
Like the circus, where elephants jump through a hoop,
Joe's come up with his own time-saving group poop,
And the stuff is collected with nary a carp
In only a single, gigantical tarp.
His clients are grateful and eagerly gush
In noting his services, making him flush.
7
Remember that dogs are not accessories and if you get one it should be a lifetime commitment. They get more expensive and time intensive as they age. If you can't make that commitment, but do want a dog in your life, consider fostering dogs from shelters.
12
Re Mayor de Blasio's call to abolish the Electoral College, maybe a modification that allows a popular vote override would be a position all sides can agree on. If, say, the popular vote differential were 3% or greater in favor of the "loser." That would kick in the override clause, which would direct all electors to cast their votes for the popular vote winner.
3
The documented health benefits (see recent medical literature) of having a dog are even more important in this fast-paced city, where we could all use a little help keeping our blood pressure normal. Adopted or not, our four-legged friends are better than medication.
4
They're are myriad answers to this question. Some people have the space and money but not
the time. Think of the poor dog confined to a cage in a shelter? How could you possibly be so selfish and self centered? Although the ultimate life may be spending 5 hours per day with a pet - anything has to be an improvement rather than being in a shelter.
There are many (lonely) elderly people where a dog can make a great companion. Especially an older dog that has been surrendered. If you cannot "own" a dog for certain reasons perhaps you could assist someone who can have one?
There is no reason not to own a dog. The rewards are infinite!
The other side of this coin is, the way you take care of and watch over a child is no different than the way you take care of a dog. Would you hold a baby on your lap while driving yet how many people do this with DOGS? Just like children, dogs need to restrained at all times in vehicles.
Would you feed your child McDonald's 24-7? Good quality pet food is very easy to purchase.
Retractable leashes should be banned. If the dog can travel 20 feet in front of you it can also travel 20 feet to either side risking running out into traffic when it see's another animal across the street.
When walking a dog - refrain from looking down at phones. You both risk getting hit by cars or the dog ripping the leach out of your hand when it see's something or numerous other things. No different than keeping your eye on a child at all times.
the time. Think of the poor dog confined to a cage in a shelter? How could you possibly be so selfish and self centered? Although the ultimate life may be spending 5 hours per day with a pet - anything has to be an improvement rather than being in a shelter.
There are many (lonely) elderly people where a dog can make a great companion. Especially an older dog that has been surrendered. If you cannot "own" a dog for certain reasons perhaps you could assist someone who can have one?
There is no reason not to own a dog. The rewards are infinite!
The other side of this coin is, the way you take care of and watch over a child is no different than the way you take care of a dog. Would you hold a baby on your lap while driving yet how many people do this with DOGS? Just like children, dogs need to restrained at all times in vehicles.
Would you feed your child McDonald's 24-7? Good quality pet food is very easy to purchase.
Retractable leashes should be banned. If the dog can travel 20 feet in front of you it can also travel 20 feet to either side risking running out into traffic when it see's another animal across the street.
When walking a dog - refrain from looking down at phones. You both risk getting hit by cars or the dog ripping the leach out of your hand when it see's something or numerous other things. No different than keeping your eye on a child at all times.
11
Assuming you're referring to dogs bred for profit in your first paragraph, I think it's a dilemma. Do you buy the dog to save it from having a terrible life in a cage thereby also supporting the business, or do you refrain from saving the dog and discouraging breeding dogs for profit in the future? In the latter case one would be eliminating the need to save dogs from having terrible lives altogether.
1
No dogs please. In another display of narcissistic decadence, the urban and suburban sheik parade their GMO canines in full fashion attire, complemented with painted nails and cosmetically enhanced coiffures. Dirtying the streets and walkways, albeit frequently rescued with plastic bags toting toxic excrement neatly stored in handbags and coat pockets, the urban elite are proud to display their four-legged accoutrements in every local and eatery as their birthright.
Hygiene and filth be dammed. “It is my pet,” they proclaim in full vanity as they refuse the GMO grains and vegetable, yet giddily present for all to enjoy or not their inbred foul enslavements, their barking vanity toys du jour and newest acceptable form of bondage.
And as they are the elite, the government stands behind them in another sample of life as it ever was.
Hygiene and filth be dammed. “It is my pet,” they proclaim in full vanity as they refuse the GMO grains and vegetable, yet giddily present for all to enjoy or not their inbred foul enslavements, their barking vanity toys du jour and newest acceptable form of bondage.
And as they are the elite, the government stands behind them in another sample of life as it ever was.
8
As long as you're willing to share space in your bed . . . so pick small!
3
Would you pick a partner by body size alone? LOL ? You will be amazed at how comforting a furry critter can be, irrespective of their ratio to the bed LOL. But let's face it a dog of any size can have a great heart and that is the key to picking your canine companion. May I suggest you rescue from the NYC ACC? They have many facebook volunteers and advocates who can help you choose by reading in depth descriptions. And, the love of a creature is very special and pawsitively life transformative, enjoy.
6
My husband and I adopted a rescue puppy during the election from SPCA. Helped us get through a very depressing time! I have been sleeping through the night and jump out of bed to take care of her...best thing to come out of a bad month!
19
I vote no, instead spend the time and money helping a child
10
People have different priorities. Others disagree.
2
Help a dog AND a child, it is not an either or proposition. Too many of both species are catastrophically in trouble in our world, the main thing is to care enough to act responsibly and help.
5
They are not mutually exclusive.
Rangers dogged Hurricanes
4
Right on cue ... good one, Mike!!
1
Of course I speak to my dog as if she's human; that's easy. The bigger goal is for me to see the world through her eyes...
16
not if you're doing it just be among the 'fashionable and trendy'
1
If you really want to have a dog, then you should be responsible for taking care of it otherwise just don't have one, because I don't think that pets should be seen as a just a luxury or a fad.
14
My wife and I have been thinking about getting a dog for 23 years. We just cant decide on a name!
7
Rufus?
1
Adopt! Do not buy a puppy!! There are countless beautiful house trained smart non aggressive breeds in your local animal shelter. I have adopted every time...a Shepard mix breed (about two when I picked him up) who lived 12 wonderful years...the cutest mutt you've ever seen a few years later, who loved kids and cats and ran faster than any dog in the park and lived nearly 15 wonderful years and now a pedigree 'cattle dog' who makes me laugh, smile and walk miles every day...all of these pets came from kill shelters and they were spared. Do the right thing - adopt from a shelter.
49
Absolutely......I've always adopted shelter pets and they are housetrained, sociable, and immediately grateful and affectionate.
18
Many wonderful dogs are available for adoption at NYC's Animal Care and Control. Some are being fostered and they are house trained and home trained. Check them out. (I hand no association with the ACC, I just know these pups are largely forgotten )
23
Wow! I thought everybody talked to their dog the same as a human!
Now that's a statistic?
I can't even begin to imagine. Do they exchange bark language then?
Or just not communicate?
Woof!!!
Now that's a statistic?
I can't even begin to imagine. Do they exchange bark language then?
Or just not communicate?
Woof!!!
11
I not only talk to my dog, but I answer for him -- he speaks English in a dog's voice!
9
Sandy,
You are a person of my own true heart!
I hope he says "I love you" to you.
:)
MIMA
You are a person of my own true heart!
I hope he says "I love you" to you.
:)
MIMA
7
$1800 a year cost to keep a dog?! On what planet is that exactly? Dog walker, food, vet, lodging if you need to travel... multiply that number by 7.
5
Planet Philadelphia.
And I have two large, elderly dogs.
And I have two large, elderly dogs.
3
I thought it was interesting that 9 out ot 10 New York State residents speak to their pets as if they were human. The other group, lets call them the the 10 percenters, are, like the 1 percenters, people I would have absoultly nothing in common with.
12
Holiday music in the spirit of giving a dog as a gift.
Tune of Mary Did You Know
Human do you know
That I cost real dough for feeding and for training
Human do you know
That I need to go although it might be raining
Do you know
Though it seems like kids would love me as a gift
Don't give me without asking
Or their parents will be miffed
I need to walk
And need to eat
Need lots of time you bet
But in return
You can not beat
The love that you will get
Human do you know
Tune of Mary Did You Know
Human do you know
That I cost real dough for feeding and for training
Human do you know
That I need to go although it might be raining
Do you know
Though it seems like kids would love me as a gift
Don't give me without asking
Or their parents will be miffed
I need to walk
And need to eat
Need lots of time you bet
But in return
You can not beat
The love that you will get
Human do you know
18
But please consider a rescue dog, not a puppy! We adore the middle aged golden retriever that we adopted from DVGRR in Pennsylvania! He has brought more joy to our life than we could have imagined!
35
Nine out of ten? What does the other one do?
6
"Nine out of ten? What does the other one do?"
Probably they abuse them or neglect them. That's why there are so many dogs in shelters -- even if you don't count the ones that are euthanized.
Although if you consider the millions of dogs that must be cared for by our various humane societies, I'd say more people than just one out of ten let their worst instincts govern their behavior towards their pets.
Probably they abuse them or neglect them. That's why there are so many dogs in shelters -- even if you don't count the ones that are euthanized.
Although if you consider the millions of dogs that must be cared for by our various humane societies, I'd say more people than just one out of ten let their worst instincts govern their behavior towards their pets.
There is a whole range of care between baby talk and abuse or neglect. Speaking baby talk to a dog does not guarantee that the animal will be better cared for than one which receives clear commands and stable attention. You can love a pet without pretending it's a baby. Providing food, shelter, exercise, and affection can all happen without the owner sounding foolish.
5