I just posted this on another site and thought I'd share here. Most of us here have a deep appreciation for the work involved in keeping our animals but that isn't the case with a lot of people. Let me know your thoughts on the below and share your own stories of being rewarded and loved by a dog(or any pet!)
"Dogs are WORK.
Our GSD Aries isn't an easy dog. He sheds. Constantly. And we take him to the groomers at least once a month, if not more often. He's smart. He figures out how to get away with things he knows he's not supposed to do without getting into trouble. He needs a job. We have to find ways to stimulate his brain throughout the winter months when he can't get out to run as much... mental stimulation is just as important as physical. He needs companionship. He's a velcro dog. If you move, he moves with you. If our other dog goes somewhere, he's going too.
Training him was not fun. It was WORK. I hated doing it. Every time he made a mess or chewed something up... I hated it more. It took over a year to get him fully trained, and he still stretches boundaries because he's a smart dog and likes to see if he can.
Don't get a dog because they're cute or because they're in a movie. Go into it with your eyes open. Yes, I hated training Aries. It's still work to make sure he's cared for and gets what he needs on a daily basis. But I am rewarded with a dog that I know will protect me and my property, who shows unending affection to me, my family, and my friends, and a dog I'm proud to have.
Dogs aren't throwaway gifts. It breaks my heart to see all these beautiful dogs who were abandoned by families they loved but who didn't love them enough to put in the work.
Put in the work. Dogs will love you through thick and thin, will be there for you when no one else is. That kind of love is worth the time and effort."
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