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Dogs make wonderful pets and even better companions. To be honest, most people treat their dogs better than their own blood relatives! I remember a gentleman who took out a second mortgage so he could pay for his dog's chemotherapy.. Anyhow, I digress.. As with any member of the family, dogs require love, attention and all basic necessities: a warm, safe and comfortable place to live and sleep, a well-balanced meal 2-3 times a day, water, medical attention (when necessary), and physical and mental stimulation. * A dog house (if he/she lives outdoors). This dog house should be big enough so the dog can stand in it, and it must have enough space so he/she may walk in a circle before lying down. * A dog bed (or pillows).. They need a comfortable place to sleep too. * Dog Bowl & Water dish - This should be washed on a regular basis. Water cooler or Water Bottle style water dispensers are AWFUL. Most people do not take the time to clean them, and why would you want your dog to drink out of something that has mold in it? * All dogs need space and lots of exercise. If you can't dedicate at least an hour a day to spend time with your dog, you may want to consider getting him/her a companion to keep them physically and mentally entertained. * Toys and treats. They need to be positive rewards and toys to play with just like children. * Well-balanced food. What the dog eats will determine the quality of his/her coat and health. * Dogs, regardless of the breed or length of fur (including those hairless Chinese Crescents), will need to be bathed and groomed regularly. The shorter the fur, the maintenance is geared more towards how healthy is the dogs skin, and with the longer hair breeds, you want to avoid mats (dreadlock, knotted fur.. very common with cocker spaniels) because they can become heavy and become very uncomfortable for the dog. * A good vet! This is what most pets lack. Dogs are just like humans, they break bones and they catch colds. Don't think that because at one time dogs were "wild" that they can fight these things on their own. All county's have discounted vet clinics and pet insurance is so cheap! (10-30 dollars a month). If any these things seem like too much effort to maintain a dog, you may want to consider a more low-maintenance pet, like a beta fish or hermit crabs.

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17y ago

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