Paws For a Moment (or Two)

One of the simplest methods of dog care is to spend time with him. Let’s face it; you are your dog’s hero and he wants nothing more than to be by your side. You can shower your dog with the most expensive and exclusive gifts, but that really means nothing if you don’t spend time with him. Experts say at the very minimum you should try to set aside fifteen minutes of undivided attention for your dog once a day (twice is much better). Not quite sure what to do for those fifteen minutes? Here are some suggestions.

• Take a walk around the block or play a game. This is not only good for your dog but also for you. According to the book, Real Age, by Dr. Michael F. Roizen, owning a dog helps you stay younger longer. This age benefit is attributed to the fact that dog owners get more exercise caring for their dogs.
• Brush your dog. Taking a few minutes out each day to brush your dog has several benefits as mentioned in the chapter Looking Good Feeling Better.
• Give your dog a hug. Touch is healing for everybody. Babies who are untouched as infants never develop emotionally. Couples who stop touching, stop loving. Let yourself pet your dog. Dogs absolutely love this, my Berry in particular. While Wanda, Robin, Sarah, and Dresden eventually get bored, my loving boy Berry could sit and be petted for hours. When he feels that I have been paying too much attention to the computer and not to him, Berry will come and nudge my arm away from the keyboard so that my hand ends up on his back. There is no telling him that mom has a deadline. Often I end up petting him with one hand while trying to type with the other.

Copyright 2000-2007 Margaret Svete