Northern Hills Magazine 2015 Easter Issue | Page 6

IMAGES: 123RF.COM ARTICLE / PET CARE & GROOMING A DOG CALLED... ME WRITTEN BY MS STEWARD I f you saw a biker dude walking a Rottweiler with a spiked leather collar, or a Coco Chanel clone with a perfectly clipped Poodle on a Shantung silk leash, you would have little difficulty seeing how those dogs were a good reflection of their owners. But what about your own dog? What kind of portrait of you does your canine companion paint? You may not have thought about it, but the fact is that everything about your dog-its breed, size, personality, training, diet, grooming, and so onreveals a great deal about you, for better or for worse. PUPPY IMPULSIVE? Let’s start with how you got your dog. If you bought a puppy from a pet store, chances are you’re new to dogs, as most long-time dog owners are aware that responsible breeders will not sell dogs to pet stores, making the origin and breeding of a pet store pup rather questionable. It could also mean that you are impulsive (saw that doggie in the window, had to have it!), as opposed to someone who methodically researches bloodlines, show records, breeders’ reputations, etc. The more methodical person would PAGE 04 / NORTHERN HILLS / EASTER ISSUE 2015 probably buy from a breeder, so if that’s what you did, we can assume that you think before taking action, and that you are a person who has distinct preferences. And, since dogs from breeders can fetch top dollar, you are likely not in the poorhouse. Then there are those people who rescue strays or adopt dogs from shelters. These folks tend to be compassionate and are not afraid to take chances or let their emotions guide them in making decisions. PUREBRED PLANNER? There are also some general differences between “purebred people” and “mut Ё