I feel confident that it’s time to move forward. It’s time to grow our family and add a special little someone to the household. It’s finally time to adopt a dog.
Betsy and I have wanted to be puppy parents since we signed the lease on our first apartment together more than three years ago, but we’ve never felt the conditions were favorable for a furry friend. We’ve had lease stipulations barring a pouch, restored hardwood floors we didn’t think would sustain the pat of four paws and schedules too busy to give a pup the attention he or she deserves.
But recently balance has fallen into place and we’re ready to buy the collars, bowls, toys and training videos needed to give a dog a forever home — and I need your help.
We need some assistance because we love all dogs and would probably be inclined to bring each one of the ARL’s residents home with us, but we recently realized a puppy army is not feasible.
So what do you think? Here are a few pieces of information that will be important in the selection process.
• We have a small apartment where a larger breed might act as a one-canine wrecking crew.
• We are first-time dog owners so would it be advantageous for us to get an older, pre-trained pouch or is there a breed which is easier to train than others?
• There are no kids in the household — in fact, we’re looking at this as a bit of a trial run for future kid care — so there shouldn’t be much of a restriction in this area.
• We live in a downtown apartment, so, although parks are not far away, this will have to be a dog who doesn’t mind doing its business in a smaller green space.
• Bets has a mostly “9 to 5” job but as a reporter, my schedule is all over the place. Are certain breeds more independent that others? Anyone have suggestions on more self sufficient dogs?
One final thing: This is a bit of a surprise. I don’t know when or how I’ll execute the pouch purchase, but I’ve asked Bets to stay away from the opinion page this week because it would ruin “a future surprise.” Of course, the first thing she said when I made this request was “are you getting me a dog?” I should have learned after four years, I cannot hide anything from this woman.
If there is anything else I’m not considering when buying a dog, feel free to give me your suggestions. If you have any advice for breeds you can always find me on Twitter @mimendenhall or email me at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com.
Thank you for the tips and always keeping up on what’s “Trending!”
• Contact Mike Mendenhall at
mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com