Sherry and I have been blessed to have a pack (three or four dogs) join our family for nearly 40 years. We’ve learned a whole bunch along the way.
For those of you who may be considering bringing your own pack of dogs into your lives, here are a few of our lessons learned:
- From little puppies through adulthood, your dogs love consistency. They want to know they can count on being treated in the same manner each day (no big mood swings or changes in the things they count on you to provide).
- Each dog is unique, with extraordinary gifts to be appreciated. Play to each dog’s strengths. Make each one know they are special.
- Each member of the pack needs to be assured each day that he or she is unconditionally loved. Your puppies are going to mess up from time to time, just as you have. Bring them back on course through love, not anger or spiteful discipline.
- Recognize that raising a pack of dogs is a huge job, needing your investment in dollars and time. If you can’t provide such support, it’s best to not get started. There are other ways to bring joy and purpose into your life.
By golly, looking back on these pointers, they may apply as well to making wise choices in having and raising children of your own.
Patty