Another dog member in the family

Ever since our newest family member moved in two weeks ago, our lives have not been the same. Katri, my daughter’s two-and-a-half-month-old Maltese Terrier, is such a delight to be around. At the same time, caring for her posed a challenge to us because she is a baby. We found ourselves up and awake in the middle of the night to check up on her while she got acquainted with her new surroundings. It has been a long while since we had a baby in the house. My youngest son, Benjamin, is turning six soon and our one and only doggie, Martha, is now 14 years old. 

While we get back to the basics of feeding on a schedule, doing our daily walks and exercise, regular visits to the vet, potty training, playtimes and re-training our children about the responsibility of having a new pet or baby to care for, I am so blessed to see the joy and excitement in each one of us with the arrival of Katri.

When we entertained the idea of granting our eldest daughter, Ella’s request to get a pup for her birthday, we soon realized that it was not as simple as we thought. There were many considerations and major preparations that had to be done.  This was due largely to the fact that we were not out to get just another pet. Instead, we were set to adopt a new member of our family that we hoped to have for a very, very long time. Here is a list of things you may also want to consider before getting a new pet:

1. Consider your lifestyle. Before we started our search for Katri, we as a family agreed on specific characteristics we wanted in our new puppy. Because my children are all highly allergic to almost everything, we wanted a dog that did not shed. In other words, a hypoallergenic breed. According to our vet, Dr. Sylvia Cortes, it is the skin dander that causes the allergic reaction and not the length of the coat. We then searched for the different breeds that didn’t shed and narrowed down our list to three options: a Bichon Frise, a toy poodle and a Maltese Terrier. Other non-shedding breeds include: the Mini Schnauzer and the Shih Tzu. Next, we wanted a dog that was a companion dog and one that would be kid-friendly with a relaxed temperament because it would be around many children most of the time. Then, since we lived in a townhouse subdivision, we were also concerned about the noise that a pet dog could make so we considered one that didn’t bark a lot. Since some toy poodle owners shared with us that theirs barked a lot, we were more inclined to getting a Bichon Frise or a Maltese Terrier.

Having a budget in mind is definitely helpful because prices vary depending on where you get your dog and what breed, color or gender they are. Definitely, though, a purchase from the breeder will turn out to be less expensive. There are several sites on the web that tell you indications of pet ownership readiness and a test that narrows down your search by asking simple questions about your lifestyle. Just search for “dog ownership test” or “pet compatibility test.” Because we always decide on major things together as a family, it was a must for both my husband and I to be present when we made our choice. We then made sure to get Katri just before Anthony left for a trip abroad, right before Ella’s birthday.

2. Be mindful of your previously owned pets. Since we have had our beagle for the last 14 years, we were very concerned about how a new pet would affect her “temperament.” I’m glad that Kathy (Moran) of the STAR’s Pet Life graciously shared her insights about my questions regarding this issue. She offered me this advice: “Is she spoiled? If yes, she might (get affected) at the start. But if you get a male dog, it might be better. Also, you will have to make sure that your kids give your Beagle attention even if the new pup is there.” She continued by saying that female dogs, like our beagle, accept other dogs more readily than male dogs.  Kathy reminded us to make sure that our beagle knows that she will always be loved no matter what other dog may come.  She said that it is funny how dogs are so much like people.

3. Watch out for healthy signs. When choosing a dog, Dr. Cortes reminded me to make sure their eyes are clear, noses moist and gums pink. If you go to a breeder’s home, observe how they maintain their pet surroundings’ cleanliness. It is an indication of how much they care for the pups’ parents. It would also be good to observe how the pups’ parents behave, which will be helpful in giving you an idea more or less what kind of a dog it will be when it grows up.  Kathy recommends choosing a pet store that gives special treatments to their pet tenants. I chose to get one from one that had a spunky, clean environment (the owners were Jay and Dorene Mendoza, who are breeders). The Animals & Things Pet Store at Tiendesitas has good ambiance, staff and warm hospitality that gave me a sense of how they are caring as a pet store. The husband-and-wife team readily offered their tips and pointers on the different breeds we were considering.  Aside from that, they also sold the basic supplies we needed so it was sort of a one-stop shop for new and experienced pet owners. What touched me the most was after we had finally decided on a female Maltese Terrier. The store didn’t have one, so they produced one!

Now, that is what good service is all about. 

Hope that helps. Getting a new pet is a special occasion. There may be several things to consider. If you’ve laid out all your options and are still confused, follow this simple rule that Kathy Moran offered me. She said, “Choose one that you feel comfortable with and one that makes a connection when you first meet.” Then pray, as my sister-in-law, Chel Arenas, prayed for Ella to find God’s best friend dog. Make sure you bring the whole family along.