Size Matters

I want you to understand that when bringing a dog into your home as a permanent companion, you must consider more than what books publish veterinarians advise and shelters hope for.

Let's look closer at the bonding experiences you will encounter. . .

What goes in comes out. Visualize a potter's wheel and the lump of unformed clay. The clay represents what is being served in that favorite doggie's bowl. Now imagine reshaping that lump appropriately into pieces. So size matters.

When purchasing furniture to accommodate your exact measurements,  lumbar support, color scheme and durability, consider the probability that your companion will claim it as his own. You may scoff at my insistence, but I have decades of experience on this subject. If your animal sheds, you're going to have a longer list. Don't be fooled into thinking a big dog can't possibly fit into Grandma's petite antique rocking chair. I have a ninety four pound weimaraner who will easily disprove your theory. Beds a re a challenge for smaller breeds to navigate, but that's why doggie steps were invented.
If you have a man cave with generous size furnishings, you're going to be amazed how adaptable the fine leather sofa is to the dog. Leather, being a little slippery, will allow the paws to dangle just below the seam line. Again, size matters.

Now this is going to be a little personal, but consider it you must. If you are prone to immodesty in your bathroom, I caution you that dogs which stand thirty inches or taller will want to keep you company in there. While the shorter ones (the dachshund comes to mind) may sniff from knees on down, those on the other end of the spectrum will send you shrieking to find your bathrobe. Do you begin to sense a recurring there here?

The up close and personal does not stop with you. Be assured that anyone entering your space will receive the same generous greeting. Girl dogs are not more polite than their male counterparts.

Really big dogs like danes, wolfhounds and mastiffs will counter surf because they can. This talent is not limited to the long legged. . .if you keep chairs around the kitchen island, the little ones (not to be outdone) will manage to jump once for better viewing and then again, once they have targeted their prize, will jump to that final height and not until their curiosity has been sated will they consider the consequences of returning to the floor. Louver doors are no match for those who have a playful nature. Cabinets are not safe either. Laundry baskets, diaper pails and on the floor vegetable bins are irresistible.

Okay, you say, what about obedience training.  I respond "Good luck with that." Read the small print on that adoption agreement. Does it say "genetically bred to enhance your life without the mess"? And anyway, the smells and aromas in those commercial spaces or outdoor arenas where training ensues are vastly different from your personal home environment. Dogs have evolved from the wolf. The wolf hunts, it survives on its ability to smell, identify and conquer. What makes you think your piece of paper (framed and hung on that prominent wall in your home ) guarantees otherwise.

The examples are endless, really; even as far as accessorizing your car, moped, Spyder or bicycle basket. Size matters, personal space (inside and out) matters; yours and theirs. It's a challenge to share what was once yours and yours alone with a pair of twinkling eyes, a wet nose attached to four legs, and a tail. A dog changes everything. Be wise in listening to your heart or do what I do and get one in every size because the only thing where size does not matter is the heartfelt love between you. There is truly no measuring that.