If you know me or have followed my blog for a while, I’m sure you’ve heard me mention of my dog, Chance.
This post is sponsored by K9 Advantix®. All opinions are my own!
I love my dog! Honestly, I truly think that I never chose to have children because I always got my fulfillment of nurturing through my dogs. You might as well say that Chance is my child. He is my devoted companion, and it is my responsibility to make sure he is taken care of properly at all times.
Now I have step doggies! Buddy and Tater were my bonuses when I got married. They are the sweetest dogs and I love them as my own. Tater goes running with me in the mornings, she has a few pounds to shed :-). Chance and Buddy are too old to run, so they stay at home and chill.
When Chance’s “sissy” Ginger got sick with cancer a few years ago, my vet recommended an organic diet of brown rice, lean meat, vegetables and pumpkin or sweet potato during her last days. Of course I couldn’t feed that only to her and leave Chance out… he loved it too! So still to this day, I’ll cook up a big pot of meat, brown rice, veggies and pumpkin (or sweet potato) weekly. Chance eats it twice a day with dry dog food in-between when he’s hungry. I’ll also make him homemade dog treats when I have extra time on my hands.
I understand if you don’t have time to make homemade food or treats, especially with today’s busy family demands. BUT if you’re a responsible dog owner, I’m sure you understand what’s involved with owning a dog. Following are a few things I’ve learned through experience and recommend before considering owning a dog:
- KNOW YOUR BREEDS! Once you’ve decided to take on the responsibility of dog ownership, research your breeds. You do NOT want a high-strung boxer or a lab that needs exercise if you live in a small apartment with no running space. Do you have kids? Ensure that you’re choosing a dog breed that has a reputation of being compatible with children.
- Make time for your dog. Life gets busy. Are you going to have the time to take your dog to the vet for routine vaccinations? Understand that you or your spouse will probably have to take off of work to do this if you work normal business hours. Are you going to have time to take your dog for walks if you don’t have a fenced yard? When I moved to a house without a fenced yard, I had to get up 30 minutes earlier each morning to take my dog for his walk before I went to work.
- Commit. You’re not rescuing or buying a toy or article of clothing that you can just discard or return to the store if it doesn’t work out (go back to #1 — knowing your breeds). Do you live in a rental that allows pets now? What if you have to move? Are you willing to pay the pet deposit? Are you willing to compromise your new housing choices because of your dog? What if you have a new child in the future, are you going to take the time to make sure your dog “fits in” with your new lifestyle? These answers should be YES.
- Vaccinate, neuter/spay and protect against parasites. Dogs cost money. Obligate to always stay on top of your dog’s vaccinations and prevention of parasites.
If you’re a devoted dog owner like me, consider joining the PetParents Community and learn more about K9 Advantix II® tick repellent by clicking here.
What are your thoughts on being a responsible dog owner? Please share in the comments below!
The bond between you and your dog is a special one, and you’ll go to great lengths to keep your furry family member safe and healthy. K9 Advantix® II is a once-a-month topical application for dogs and puppies that REPELS and kills ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of K9 Advantix® II. The opinions and text are all mine.
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