Owning a dog
Do we own dogs? Or should we say that we are privileged to share our lives with dogs? How can we own a living being? We can’t really. Anyway, who is it that goes out to work to buy the food and keep the roof over our heads, and who does the washing up? Who owns who?
Whatever way you look at it, being the 'owner' of a dog means that we have a responsibility to look after our friend, and care for his needs.
Do we own dogs? Or should we say that we are privileged to share our lives with dogs? How can we own a living being? We can’t really. Anyway, who is it that goes out to work to buy the food and keep the roof over our heads, and who does the washing up? Who owns who?
Whatever way you look at it, being the 'owner' of a dog means that we have a responsibility to look after our friend, and care for his needs.
We have the responsibility to provide food, water, exercise, stimulation and play, companionship and a life free of disease and injury. We have a duty of care to become knowledgeable, and not necessarily to do as we are told just because someone tells us that this is the way it’s always been done.
You know your dog better than anyone else on the planet. If he’s lucky, you are tuned into him. You understand his needs, and his feelings. You love him and want the best for him. When he’s ill you’ll take him to the vet, and you’ll have the courage to question the vet’s advice. If a certain drug is advised, you’ll find out what the drug is, what the side-effects are, and whether there are any safer alternatives. You’ll think about what you put in his mouth, just as any loving parent will do.
Love is more than a warm fuzzy feeling. And a dog isn’t just a dog. He is more loyal, trusting and giving than you will ever fully comprehend. Nothing you do for him can be too much. He will repay your loving kindness a thousand times over.
You do not own him. He comes to you freely, with love, to be your friend. He is not less than any human. He is a noble being in his own right. And if you want your dog to be ‘obedient’, listen to him and respect him. He will want nothing more than to please you.
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