HOW TO CHOOSE A PET

Choosing a pet is such a huge decision as that pooch is going to be part of your family for many years to come. Do you want to bring home a mutt from the local animal shelter or do you want to invest in a purebred from a breeder?

Mixed breeds (or mutts) are combinations of different breeds and come in many shapes and sizes. In most case, you won't know what it wil look like or how big it will get as an adult. However, purebreds have been bred to look and act a certain way and their ancestors are members of the same breed. Pups that come from reputable breeders will also have been screened for health problems. Of interest though, is that although genes determine personality and grooming needs, good manners are determined by the owners' personal training.

Cost is another thing to consider. Getting a dog or puppy from a local shelter can be very inexpensive indeed, somewhere around $30-$40 and this should include vaccinations, deworming and spaying/neutering. On the other hand, if you should decide to get a purebred dog or puppy, depending on the breed, these can be quite expensive.

Mutts from our local shelters are readily available and in plentiful supply because, unfortunately, there just aren't enough homes for the millions and millions of them. So, a nice thought is that by adopting one of them, you would be saving a life.

Before making your choice, a mutt from the local shelter or a purebred, it would be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian or perhaps a dog obedience trainer to help you choose the perfect dog or puppy for your particular family, and, of course, lifestyle. You should also consider the size and type of coat (short, silky or non-shedding) and the dog's temperament, i.e. high or low-energy.

Years ago, when our family went to our local shelter to choose a dog, the four of us split up and went in different directions inside the shelter to try to find the cutest and perfect dog for us. None of us had any idea what we wanted. One of our sons came across the cutest little mutt we had ever seen, half Cocker Spaniel and the other half unknown. He was two years old and adorable. I was the one designated to pick him up the following week, and, because I had never been around dogs much before, I asked a friend to come with me to pick him up. I didn't know if I would be safe driving home alone with him, as I didn't know what his personality would be like.

From the very first day that we brought him home from the pound, this little dog (we called him Snuggles) was the absolute BEST dog ever in every way. We loved him until he passed away at the age of 13. There will never be another Snuggles.

Always remember though that all dogs, regardless if mutt or breed, need to be loved. And, you also might want to spoil them like you would your child, with upscale pet accessories.