NOTE: We don’t receive any money, discounts or special consideration for the endorsements on this page. We are only sharing our experience. Our experience says there are several essentials to having happy, healthy dogs.
DIET
Diet is of utmost importance to your dog’s health. Feeding your dogs only high quality dog food with as few artificial preservatives, coloring, etc. as possible is the first key to a happy, healthy dog. Your dog cares nothing about cute colorful bone shaped nuggets found in many commercial dog foods. Those pretty little colors and shapes are to please the human shopper.
We use TOPS Maintenance dog food, manufactured by Specialty Feeds right here in Memphis by folks who developed formulas for your dog’s health, not mama’s “pretties”. specialty-feeds.com We purchase ours at the Raleigh Feed Store on the Southeast corner of Stage and Austin-Peay. We also mix in a can of Pedegree and or Ole Roy for breakfast, to break the monotony and add meat to the canine diet. (Canines are carnivores you know).
WATER!
Your dog should have easy access to plenty of fresh clean drinking water at all times. You’d be amazed to know how important clean fresh water is to your dog’s health. You may also be suprised how fast bacteria and other “stuff” grows in water left out at or above room temperature.
EXERCISE
A leading cause of so many health problems dogs develop come from lack of exercise. Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) preaches the 3 key elements to a “balanced” dog are, EXERCISE, DISCIPLINE, AFFECTION in that order. Our experience backs that philosophy 100%.
You CANNOT love your dog to good health. Dogs need exercise more than humans do; and you should have the common sense to know how important exercise is to humans.
COMPANIONSHIP
Dogs are PACK ANIMALS.
If you’re not with your dog 24 hours/day, then get your dog a dog. Fact is, no matter how much you think your dog loves you, given a choice, he’d rather be with another dog. Another fact is that 2 dogs are far easier to manage than 1.
Having multiple dogs reduces separation anxiety, loneliness, and depression (yes, like people, lonely dogs get depressed). Just like people, depression lowers the immune system inviting illness and trips to the doctor. Besides, how would you like to be left all alone day after day after day for 9 to 10 hours at a time while your only companion went to work? Also, there are plenty of times when you just don’t want to mess with your dog after a long days work, or you’re busy, or whatever, (which your dog really doesn’t understand) so your dogs still have each other.
CESAR MILAN
Educate yourself the easy way! Cesar Milan known as THE DOG WHISPERER is in our opinion the most knowledgeable person in America on dog behavior. Every dog owner should know how to be their dog’s leader. If you’ve ever said “my dog thinks he’s human”, then you really need some education. Your dog doesn’t think he’s a human, your dog “thinks you are a dog” ( a funny looking one, granted). Cesar has written several fantastic books about you and your dog’s behavior.
Our favorites are: “Cesar’s Way”, and “Be The Pack Leader”. You can get them online at Amazon.com, or at any good book store like Barnes & Noble, or even on Cesar’s own website. Additionally, You should watch THE DOG WHISPERER” on the National Geographic Channel. If you’re truly a dog lover you’ll be hooked after the first show: and you’ll soon have a happier and healthier dog.
IF I DIDN’T HAVE DOGS
I could walk around the yard barefoot, and my house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture and cars would be free of hair. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel and I could get to the door without wading through a bunch of fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable. I wouldn’t have strange presents under my Christmas tree — dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, treats; and wouldn’t have to explain to people why they’re wrapped. I would have money …. and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I wouldn’t be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: sit, down, come, no, out, stay, and leave (him/her/it) ALONE!
My house wouldn’t be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers. My house wouldn’t look like a day care center with toys scattered everywhere. My pockets wouldn’t contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, G-O, R-I-D-E, and B-A-C-O-N. I wouldn’t have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside. I wouldn’t look strangely at people who say having ONE dog ties them down too much. I’d look forward to spring rains, instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.
I wouldn’t have to answer the question “Why do you have so many dogs?” from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by beings as close to angels as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be.