By: Laura Snyder
Why you should get a dog
I am planning to adopt a pet and I believe you should, too. I have decided on a dog because, they are excellent companions, although they require a bit of care. They are amazingly versatile animals who can fill many necessary roles. Dogs are a great pet because they vary in size. The smallest being Chihuahua’s which are from 2-6 pounds and can live up to 17 years (Dogster, 2010). Their size makes them great even for apartment living. The largest being Mastiff’s which are from 110-343 pounds and live normally 8-10 years (Mastiff Club of America, 1997). I chose a Chihuahua and her name is Tinkerbelle, she weighs 5 pounds. It is very important when choosing your dog to decide whether you want a puppy or an adult dog, as puppies require more of your time and most adult dogs have already been trained. Tinkerbelle is four years old and trained. Dogs are pack animals by nature. This means that they prefer to be around others. They are happiest in a close relationship with you being there pack leader. Tinkerbelle keeps me very active as she loves to play games, such as fetch, tug-of-war and frisbee. When not playing, she loves to cuddle and receive as much petting as I will give. Tinkerbelle is very territorial and will bark at anybody who she doesn’t know. She even growls at people who try to come on the property, when outside alone. Dogs are excellent protectors even the littlest ones. They will defend both their home and their people. Dogs are known to bite and will give there life to protect yours. Dogs can be trained to assist the needy. They can help the deaf, the blind and the physically or mentally impaired. Tinkerbelle helps my husband as he is 70% deaf. She lets him know when his phone rings and if someone is at the door. Other breeds are known to lead a blind person safely around obstacles and retrieve items for a person who cannot physically move around, and even help a