|
Dear Nanny Fran,
I would like to get a Golden Retriever
because they seem so happy!
This was not really a question; however, I
asked the question. My question was: "Do you know anything about
the breed?"
The answer was: "No." I stated that one
should research any particular breed in which they have interest
before acquiring that dog.
Then I was asked how to research a breed.
My very best advice would be to find the group that rescues that
particular breed and then volunteer to foster a dog. The people in
charge of "Breed Rescue" know nearly everything possible to know
about that particular breed. Breed rescue groups are always in need
of foster homes for their dogs. There are "Breed Rescue" groups for
all purebred dogs. Dogs end up in "Breed Rescue" for many reasons.
However, I wish to state unequivocally that the reasons always are
"100% human" reasons. What I mean by that statement is this. People
become "tired" of the care of the dog. A child comes along and the
dog becomes "bothersome," "too much work," "wants too much
attention." Yes, I heard of a man who called Italian Greyhound
rescue to come get his dog. Why? It was much too loving!
No folks, I did NOT make that one up. I
was told that by the couple who ARE Italian Greyhound Rescue in
this area.
Another woman gave her 12-year-old Yorkie
to Yorkie Rescue because she had her first child and the dog was
"too much work." Yes, I stood less than a foot away from the Yorkie
Rescue lady in Munchies and was told that story. I have never given
away or discarded an animal in my entire life!
|
Nanny Fran with some of her best friends.
|
You, as the researcher for yourself, need
to examine you and your lifestyle. Do you go for a 2-mile run at
4:30 each morning? Would you like your dog to accompany you? Are
you an armchair athlete whose fastest walk is to the refrigerator
for another "cold one"? Needless to say, the runner should not get
an English Bull dog and the armchair athlete should not get a
Border Collie!
Also, do you work 14 hour days away from
home? Then you should hire a pet sitter to come Monday through
Friday for a midday dog walk. Then when you come home you will not
find a dog with a urinary tract infection who has chewed up the
living room sofa from boredom. Also, there will be no "accidents"
to clean up.
Your personality, your working in the home
or your working away from home and whether you have small children
who might "manhandle" your dog, etc. all need to be taken into
consideration. Take off your rose-colored glasses and examine your
wants, needs, lifestyle and the amount of time, love and dollars
you wish to devote to another pure and innocent heaven-sent
creature. This heaven sent sweetheart needs 100% of your heart. If
your goal is to provide the most loving "forever" home in Pinellas
County as well, then you certainly have the "go ahead" from me!
© 2007 Francene Mattucci. All Rights
Reserved.
Francene Mattucci founded Never Say Good
Bye Pet Sitting Service in 1994. Call 727-512-3206, visit
www.TampaBayPetCare.com or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
with
questions for this column.
PHOTO FOR TROPICAL BREEZE BY FRANCENE MATTUCCI
|
Front Page 
Columns 
