Why would you ever get a dog?
BY SIMON GOODALLWhat is it that possesses a person to get a dog? I mean, if you get a puppy you have to start from scratch, have your house smell as you're getting used to toilet training, then deal with the dog nipping - and the cost of keeping it is horrendous.
You can forget worrying about the recession because when you have a dog, you'll forever be broke buying food for it and otherwise looking after it. If you get an older dog you'll have to deal with other problems that you may not know even existed, like separation anxiety or aggression.
But despite this, dog sales are still growing at a great rate of knots; we are definitely not quiet in my line of work. So what possesses people to get a dog? I have two dogs, two kids, my wife and cat. The children's kindergarten is subsidised by the government, the petrol is not much to run around, the kids eat what my wife and I eat, and they can talk. However, my dogs have to be registered, flea treated, wormed, get annual checkups and be fed daily, at a cost I think would run into the thousands of dollars a year - and they can't talk! They leave fur in my car, can't ride on my motorbike and occasionally get into the rubbish on a very bad day. I can't take them overseas with me and they don't get on with every dog.
You know what, though - dogs are great. When you come home they give you that smile - you know the one. They greet you as their long-lost friend and will curl up by your feet while you're watching a movie. They remain loyal to you and your family and wouldn't dream of moving in with anyone else as long as you're still around. They are your personal trainer - making sure you keep fit and active. Sure, they may run off every now and then but with some simple training they're a joy to have. They're a social point of contact: you can head down to the park and be an equal. It doesn't matter if your dog is a Jack Russell or Great Dane, you're part of a group and you can belong. It doesn't matter if you drive an Audi Q7 4WD or a 1970 Ford Escort, because you have a dog.
People who ask why I would own a dog ask a question that is like asking why I have kids. It is one of those questions that until you have one of your own, people will never quite understand. Having a dog gives you a purpose and lets you live with someone unconditionally.
Having a dog is like having your best friend around without the politics. Having a dog around means no matter what, you'll always be right and all of the world's problems will simply evaporate into thin ear when you come home.
Why do I have dogs? Why ever would I not?
Why do you have your dog and what has it meant to you?
Simon Goodall is the director of Dog Guru, which has branches in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington. Simon is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. On Facebook? Check out Dog Guru.
Join Four Legs Good on Facebook.
Picture: Reuters
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Simon , I loved your article on Why would you want a dog ! It shows that you are man with a great heat and soul.
Your pooch will always be your best friend.
I love this article. My pack is made up of my hubby and our 2 Jack Russell Terriers. My dogs remind me that life is short and I should always remember to enjoy it. They give me unconditional love. You are right there is nothing quite like that greeting you get when you get home after being at work. It makes the lousy day that you had at work just disappear. They just sit quietly by me when I am feeling down or when I am feeling unwell. The most important thing I think my dogs teach me is that you have to live in the moment and not to forget to tell the ones you love how much you enjoy their company.
I would rather have a dog (or 2) than children. I would rather ruin my carpet than my life.
Says it all really.
I can not imagine life without my dogs but can (and do) imagine what my life would be like without the kids
@Angie #4 - Ruin your life? You're a bit dramatic there aren't you mate. (I assume that you ruined your parents life by being born did you?)
I love dogs, and I miss not having one anymore, but unless my lifestyle drastically changes (ie I win Lotto) I will never get a dog :( It wouldn't be fair on it, our house doesn't have a big yard (being Wellington we have the usual amount of kiwi acreage - it's just vertical and mainly rock - can you get doggie crampons?). We both work full-time so it would get really bored and lonely. And my husband's allergic. To quote Snoopy "Sigh..."
I have never been without a dog my whole life, and hopefully will always have a dog.
I love being greeted by my two at the end of the day, their love for us is infectious, they are genuinely estatic to see you, so neat "Woohoo your home"
I cant wait to get my own dog! Ive grown up with dogs, and have dearly missed their company when i moved out of home.. and now country. I am about to buy a house with my bf and one requirment is a backyard so i can get my own dog. Ive been hinting for the past year now.. so i figure, give it another year and he wont be too suprised when he comes home from work (he works away) to find a puppy running around....
My dogs delight me and make me laugh every day, they make me more active, they make me notice things in a different way as I try to see the world as they see it. The various costs don't even come close to the joys and benefits. I'll always have dogs around me for the rest of my life.
Sometimes I wonder why I have a dog, when I look in the backyard at my non-existant grass (previously lush), or get the bill for >$100 on flea, worm treatment, treats, food, a new lead, the list goes on. However recently after my partner and I went away, we arrived home to an empty house (don't worry nothing had happended but she was staying with my parents) and there was no excited running of little feet towards us, times like those I question not "why do I have a dog?", but "why wouldn't I have a dog?"
Wellington earthquake fear: No way in or out
Flights disrupted as severe thunderstorms hit Auckland
Daily trivia quiz: February 17
Nightlife matriarch dies at show
MP's deep baritone brings down the house
Cocaine-accused Kiwis in cruise clash
Man tried to sneak explosives on ferry
Wellington earthquake fear: No way in or out
China 'will see Crafar ruling as racist'
Dazzling Adele silences critics
High cost of living mars return to NZ
I'm no ticket scalper, says Mallard
Marryatt skips council debate to play golf
Councillors back Marryatt's golf leave
Horsham Downs meditation pyramid planned
My parents bought a dog just before I was born and so I grew up with one. I loved her dearly and had just always assumed that when I got older I would also have a dog.
I don't know why we chose to get a dog but I do know that life would suck without my two. They give as much love back as they get. Sure they're a P in the A sometimes but I am to them too i'm sure!!
When we just had the one dog (and she was able to hide things without the other dog stealing them) she would hide her big biscuits. If I was ever at home sick in bed she would go find a biscuit, bring it back and try and put it in my mouth! So even when I was feeling at my worst my dog could bring a smile to my face because the darling was trying to look after me. That sort of stuff is just precious.