Rule #1: PLEASE, NEVER GIVE A DOG AS A GIFT!

As I’ve posted before, choosing a dog requires extensive research with full commitment from the new owner and all family members so it’s too risky to make the decision for someone else. Even you’ve been discussing getting a dog for some time, completed your research, the entire family is in agreement and the only variable is when you’ll surprise them with their new pup I think it’s still best to wait until everyone has had an opportunity to at least meet the pet in person. If you’ve done all of that though, by all means, surprise away and let the puppy shenanigans begin! 

Rule #2: OBNOXIOUSLY ADORABLE DOG CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES ARE 100% APPROVED! 

I recently discovered the Pup and Co boutique on Twitter and I now realize how much I have to learn about the world of high-end pet clothing and accessories. I know, I know. In this economy how can we rationalize spending $62 on a Paris Hilton by Little Lily Pink Bow Dress? Most of us probably can’t at this point. Or ever. However, they are currently offering 20% off your order at Pup and Co if you enter the code (hearts) at checkout. So maybe that helps? If not, at least you can amuse yourself and your pups by doing a little window shopping on their site. 

And boy was I amused when I poked around the Pup and Co site and discovered that they offer Dog Wigs!!

The "Sarah Palin"

It’s too hard to choose a favorite out of the bunch, but I’d have to say the Sarah Palin dog wig (pearls not included?), the Afro dog wig and the Marley dog wig (a la Bob Marley) were pretty hilarious. Do yourself a favor and check out this site when you have a minute. It will open your eyes to a truly hilarious and yes, disturbing side of the pet lover industry.

In the meantime, have a very Happy Valentine’s Day with your loved ones!

Amiga (left) & Sparky (right)

Amiga and Sparky (aka Spark Plug) are two adorable little female German Shepherd mix puppies that are currently being fostered by my very good friends here in Phoenix. Amiga and Sparky are a couple of weeks shy of being ready for adoption (they’re only about 5 or 6 weeks old right now, I believe) but they’ll be ready to go to their “forever home” in just a few weeks. Apologies for using the creepy phrase “forever home” but I’ve come to find out that it’s intended to be a warm, fuzzy term so I’ve decided to embrace it.

Amiga and Sparky are very sweet little puppies – full of energy, eager to learn and play. They’re going to be great pets for someone out there. Could it be you? If you’re not familiar with the German Shepherd breed, it’s important to do your research so that you are fully prepared for life with your new puppy. First off, please take a minute to revisit my post on the costs of dog ownership. And keep in mind, this list isn’t intended to scare you or dissuade you – just want to make sure you’re prepared!

As far as specific breed information, unfortunately I don’t know what the other part of German Shepherd mix entails so that will remain a bit of a mystery. But as a starting point for you, here’s how the AKC describes German Shepherds: 

“Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.”

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting these adorable German Shepherd mix pups, please let me know and I can help you make the connection.

The foster and adoption program is run by the AZ Humane Society here in Phoenix. It’s an amazing organization doing great things for the pet population here in Phoenix. If you’re inspired by the amazing act of generosity that my friends have displayed as foster parents, you can learn more about how to volunteer for and/or donate to the AZ Humane Society Foster program, too.

If Sparky and Amiga aren’t the perfect fit for you, don’t despair! There are plenty of other puppies, dogs, and yes, even cats looking for homes. Visit the AZ Humane Society’s “search adoptable pets” site to find your new best friend.

What, you want more??? Ok, who am I to deprive you of more pics of these adorable little german shepherd puppies. No problem, I’ll even show you a little video that I captured of the puppies in action!

To increase awareness of this “Marley Effect”, the DLRR put together a pretty raw, but pretty awesome reality check for what you can expect when you choose a lab. They’ve covered everything from housebreaking, to chewing, to exercise requirements, to an eye opening estimate of the lifetime cost of lab ownership.

The raw truth? Your new best friend is going to be a giant pain in the arse for a while, and she’s going to be expensive. There’s just no getting around it. 

Here’s a breakdown of the expenses associated with dog ownership as outlined by the DLRR:

The first year….

For the following years….

All in all, the DLRR says to expect to spend anywhere from $1,100 to $3,000 in the first year, and another $700+ each additional year, plus any additional vet costs for when they get sick or injured. The grand total estimated for owning a dog is anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000! That’s a huge expense, but worth every penny in my opinion. 

Do you know anyone that’s thinking of getting a lab? If so, please do them and their lab-to-be to be a huge favor and pass this post along. If a lab is the right answer for them, they won’t be discouraged – they’ll feel empowered by being educated and prepared. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.

Do these expenses feel pretty accurate to you? Any significant expenses that they’ve overlooked?

I’ll confess right off the bat, my favorite is the Lab. Now you know. I suppose that’s technically Confession #2. But I honestly do love all dogs, generally favor large over small when given the choice though there are a couple of little ladies out there that have captured my heart. Ginger Spice, I’m talking ’bout you!

I thought it would be interesting to see where my preferences line up with yours, and the rest of the population. I’m anxiously awaiting your votes. In the meantime, here are the official stats as captured by the 2007 AKC Dog Registration Statistics:

1. Retrievers (Labrador)
2. Yorkshire Terriers
3. German Shepherd Dogs
4. Retrievers (Golden)
5. Beagles
6. Boxers
7. Dachshunds
8. Poodles
9. ShihTzu
10. Bulldogs

Labs have been tops on the list for the last several years – I’m so proud. My mom will be amused to see that Weiner dogs and poodles are in the top 10 – Mr. Johnson & Miss Belle are representin!

Are your dogs on the list?

But I’m getting close. I can feel it. So I’ve decided to take advantage of some free time I’ve recently been granted to kick up my doggie research. I know that getting a dog is a huge commitment, and since I’ve waited this long, I want to invest the time in choosing the right dog for me and my lifestyle, and I want to be prepared when I bring it through the front door and into our lives. 

I’ve started reading several books that focus on dog ownership, dog training, dog behavior, etc. I’m getting a lot of great tips and things to think about while reading these books – definitely things I want to revisit when I begin the adventure with my own puppy. But I’m getting these books from the library and I’m concerned that in the heat of the moment, when little Magdala or Chauncey (two front runner names at this point) start showing signs of dominance aggression or relieving themselves in the house, will I remember all those awesome tips I’ve read? Will I be prepared to lovingly communicate to them the behavior that I prefer, and put a stop to the behavior that will likely have my fiance packing little Magdala’s bags?

I have to confess that I am borrowing this idea of “blogging about research as a way to create a future reference tool” from a friend. This friend once mentioned that a big part of the reason she blogs is so that she can catalog her research and refer back to it later. I like it, and I’m gonna try to make it work for me.

At the same time, this isn’t a purely selfish endeavor. Or at the very least that’s not my only aspiration for this blog. I hope that in compiling the best dog training tips and kernels of doggie knowledge that I’ve found in my research, that I’m able to share these tips with other dog lovers like yourself. I’d love to get your feedback on what’s worked for you, what hasn’t worked, and what you’ve learned that can’t be found in books. And when I do finally have a dog of my own, I want to revisit these tips and keep notes on what’s working, what’s not, what I’m gonna try next and hopefully get some help from you when I get stumped. Cause let’s face it, we can do all the research in the world to prepare, but each dog is different, each owner is different, and each new dog/owner pairing is a puzzle to be solved. It’s not gonna be easy, but it is gonna be an exciting adventure and I hope to meet some great friends along the way!