Laura said:
I think that one of the most important things to do before getting a pet is to decide what you want, expect, and can give in the pet-human relationship. Then, think logically and coolly about the kind of dog that fits in that slot. You need to consider space available vs the size and energy of the dog. You need to consider your time available and how much you are at home. How much energy do YOU have to give?
Some people seem to have some "self image" fantasy of themselves and their trusty dog of one sort or another... maybe they read about such a dog in a book, or saw it in a movie, or somebody else had such a dog and it looked good. So, they imagine themselves with this type of dog without giving one minute of thought to the reality.
The worst thing I see over and over again is people trying to make house pets out of hunting type dogs. Herding dogs are great family dogs if you have the space for them. They don't do well in apartments or small places. They like to have work to do.
There are some very small dogs that are able to entertain themselves a good deal if provided for, that are okay in small places where the person has minimal time and energy to give, but still, the dog needs a person to BE THERE too. If you can't be there, don't torture a critter by locking them up alone in a house or apartment all day.
Remember that a pet is a companion - that means keeping each other company. So figure out what you like and do and find the dog that is the right fit.
The choice to own a creature from 2D has for me the similar meaning as the choice between 3D and 3D. It is important to know the reasons for choosing an animal. Equally important is why a person decides for a partner or a friend. I have a labrador and am on the way with about 14 dogs on Sundays. It is amazing, for what reasons the humans had decided for the respective dogs, how humans represent themselves and how the respective dog owners present themselves in the human vortex.
Half of these dogs would be a danger to the owners if they did not use the dogs with long regular walks. At the purchase only 3 owners had informed in advance about the dog. 11 dogs came from the animal shelter, of which 6 owners were not known, which develops from the puppies.
I was at the beginning "outsider", since my dog came from a breed. The talks were usually about the willingness to help, the selflessness of the owners. Everyone wanted to be more social. But in the further discussions it became clear, that only in the rarest cases for a dog from the shelter had decided for social reasons, it was purely financial reasons. Of 14 dogs, only 3 are pure-bred.
Self-actors / narcissists actually have identical dogs and try to give their dog in the pack the leadership position. In case of misconduct of the dog always other dogs were the cause. I have learned a lot in this group about social behavior man and animal.
When I was a child, we had a hybrid that was only in the kennel. He felt sorry for me, there was no job for him, no one was interested in him. By his way of life he had become dangerous and they could not go for a walk. My narcissistic father simply wanted a dog that was dangerous. Then came a doberman. My father took the puppy, who was standing in the corner, isolated and outsider in the pack. The dog exactly reflected my father: power, disobedience, dominance. This dog was a weapon. Dangerous. I had to take care of him, even though I was afraid. My father bragged only with his fighting dog and the care was my job. Then came the day when the dog caught my little sister and even today she says: If you had not come, he would have killed me. My father laughed at it and ridiculed her. When I was 14 our dog fell out of the blue for no reason and I lay with heavy bite wounds on the face and hands 4 weeks in the hospital.
Even after this incident, father blamed me and was furious that the dog was subsequently shot.
Now we have a Labrador for 10 years, the center of our family.
There were many criteria which breed was selected. In the first place, it was only a race which, by its very nature, had no aggressive structure at all. Since my practice is in the house and many foreign people enter and leave, he was not allowed to protect any area. No hunting for a hunting dog. It should be very human and not nervous in character. Like no dog from the shelter, since I did not know what such an animal had experienced. My children were still small and I had to have the security that they were best protected from the dog when they were alone with him. The choice fell on a Labrador. My ex husband, who had very high psychopathic and narcissistic proportions, put himself on the little puppy with 120kg and said: He has to learn that I am the boss here. He must be afraid of me. The little fellow was trembling all over and I got such anger. Just as my ex-husband showed us that we must be afraid of him, he tried to subdue the dog who was afraid of him from that time. Our dog is the friendliest being that I know, everyone who enters our house is overwhelmed with his love.
But when my ex-husband moved out, the dog never took notice of him when he came in. Just as we do not pay attention to it. Today he has no more power over us. Our dog gave us security and love when we were sad. He dances with us when we are happy. We try to give him back what he gives us with his peace, joy
But when my ex-husband moved out, the dog never took notice of him when he came in. Just as we do not pay attention to it. Today he has no more power over us. Our dog gave us security and love when we were sad. He dances with us when we are happy. We try to give him back what he gives us with his peace, joy and nature.
and again thanks for your work!
Before finding Obi outside the supermarket, I was very attached to Hariff, and he is a very serious dog, like a bit grumpy and it used to be my favourite dog, and realizing this made me think that in that time I was very grumpy too haha. Nogah is quite old now and has some hip problems so she doesn't do much :( When I found Obi I had just come back from a trip to Asia, my brother and sister in law where not in the country and my mom was leaving too for a trip, I was starting therapy and working things out, so things where a bit chaotic in that time. Obi Wan was like a gift, he is now my favourite dog, and he is all happy and silly, he definitely has helped me, and it's funny cause whenever I feel "down" he is following me everywhere or being at my room 
and when I'm ok he does his own business. We say he is like a little light in the house :)
