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Health & Fitness

Abby Kennels Is Thankful For Dogs!

There are many reasons why I am thankful for my dog, Mia.   She is sweet, always excited to see me, & she is the happiest force I’ve ever seen.  Oh, and also, she’s my parents’ dog so I don’t have to do any of the hard work—cleaning up after her, training her, making sure I get home in time to walk her.  I’ve had dogs my whole life but I’ve never had a dog myself—they’ve always been my parents’.  That’s great for a while, but once you’re living on your own, with a job and all the real things in life like an apartment, a stash of Annie’s mac & cheese, and a 401(k), it’s  time to think about getting one of your own. 

When I started looking into getting my own dog, a few things stopped me and have made me continue living without a dog.  Important things to consider when owning a dog:

·         Living space: I live in a city, and as such my apartment is small, with no outdoor space and neighbors who are nice but let’s face it, wouldn’t be excited to hear my dog barking when I get home at night.  I do have a dog neighbor, though.  His name is Jake and I see him playing outside in his mom’s yard (how she managed that in a city, I have no idea), and every time I do, I get jealous.  Partly that there is a yard but mostly because there is a dog in the yard.

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·         Boarding space: My parents take Mia to Abby Kennels in Chelmsford, and it’s a great place—I love the people there and the atmosphere, and Mia always comes home happy and tired.  But it’s not in my geographical reality to bring my own dog to Chelmsford. It’s hard to find a place that you trust to leave your little dog-baby.  I’ve started researching, but also am going to ask staff at Abby Kennels; asking people you trust is always a good idea.   

·         Time: I work full-time and go to school at night.  There are days when I’m not home for a solid 16 hours at a time.  I can’t leave a dog alone that long, but the daycare places will most likely be closed by the time I’m home and a dog walker would have to visit multiple times a day.

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·         Money: Sure, I have a job, but I also am going to school & therefore largely subsist on pasta & the free coffee they have at work.  They don’t have free dog bones at work, though.

There’s a pretty strong case for me not to get a dog.  Come to think of it, it’s a pretty strong case for anybody not to get a dog. But the holiday season is the perfect time to remember why we love dogs, and why we have them, and why we put up with their barking and daily needs.  How much better are Christmas and Hanukkah with dog toys to buy?  How much more comforting and warm is Thanksgiving dinner with a dog sprawled at your feet?  Rest assured, I will have a dog some day.  Maybe not the day I (finally) graduate.  But perhaps on May 12—the day after.

 And, for those lucky enough to have a dog, take note of these common Thanksgiving foods that are dangerous for your dog to eat—keep them safe and sound with their own toys and treats!

 ·         Onions, garlic

·         Bread dough

·         Fat trimmings

·         Meat bones

·         Sources, and more information:

o   http://animal.discovery.com/pets/healthy-pets/table-foods-pets.htm

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