Man's best friend
The phrase was coined by Frederick II, King of Prussia in 1789, in reference to one of his Italian greyhounds and, till date, there is not a better or more apt way to describe the relationship between humans and dogs. We, as humans, are hardwired to love. This love, when reciprocated by a dog, creates an infinitely rewarding relationship.
However, the foundation of this relationship also plants a set of responsibilities on our shoulders. Adopting a dog can be just as logistically difficult and emotionally turbulent as bringing a newborn, human child home. Hence, it is important to get a grasp on the prerequisites discussed below before making the leap.
The first concern is time. Dogs seek love and companionship. If you live alone and have a job that keeps you tied up for over ten to twelve hours a day, your lack of time and energy for your furry friend will frustrate both of you. You need to make time to walk, feed, bathe and train your dog.
Daily activities such as eating, excreting and sleeping should also follow a regular pattern so that both you and your pup get accustomed to maintaining a routine. Puppies often suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long in an unfamiliar area post-adoption, which may lead to behavioural problems as they grow up. Therefore, it is imperative that you spend sufficient time with them in their early days to make them feel welcome and comfortable in their new home.
The next issue on the checklist is house-training. House-training a pup often takes several weeks and requires a great deal of patience and perseverance on your part. Hence, the earlier you start the better. Even if you successfully train your puppy to poop in a designated location, it may take a while for him/her to stop peeing all over the house due to lack of bladder control. So, be prepared to master the skill of wiping floors twenty times a day without fail or frustration or, adopt a previously house-trained adult dog.
As you must have already expected, there is a list of supplies you should acquire before bringing a four-legged member home. This includes food, treats, food and water bowls, toys, training crate, leash, harness, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, tick and flea control powder, nail trimming and grooming kit, etc. All these specialised dog items are available in pet stores around the city but your best bet would probably be to shop from Gulshan DCC market to avail a good variety and avoid purchasing knock-offs.
Puppy-proofing your house is of paramount importance before bringing a puppy home as the curious little tot may be likely to poke around and lick or chew substances s/he comes across. All your expensive items must be stowed away for safekeeping.
Plants and foods, which are hazardous to animals should also not be within your dog's reach. Furthermore, if you live in a studio apartment, it may not be the best idea to adopt a large dog as s/he may develop health issues due to lack of movement and exercise and, begin destroying things such as furniture or carpets out of boredom.
One other crucial factor associated with adopting a dog is the added regular expenditure. Apart from costs for regular supplies, you will also need to spend on vaccinations and routine visits to the vet. When your dog comes of age, s/he should also be spayed/neutered. This procedure ensures a healthier and longer life span for your dog but will also create a dent on your wallet.
Having said all of the above, the bottom line is, dogs are the greatest companions humans can ever hope for. They are innately intelligent and loyal creatures. In fact, adopting a dog is clinically proven to bring many physical and mental health benefits to humans. All you need to do is just make sure that you can be a good human parent before adopting a dog because each and every one of them deserves a caring and loving forever home.
By Aporajita Mustafa
Photo: Collected
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