Welcome to Critter Corner!
JR birthday
And here is JR, now almost 15 years old. The years of love and laughter this little guy has brought us outweighs all the housebreaking disasters, chewed up furniture or late night emergency veterinary runs. I look at him and my heart smiles. Bring a canine into your home and you will have unlimited heart smiles too. |
March 2018
Love on a Leash Finding Fido Part 2 Welcome March! Counting down quickly to the first day of spring (March 20) here in southern Indiana! We’ve had some lovely warm, sunny days lately and my dogs are loving it. I’ve just returned from 10 days in Hawai’i and will be sharing some of my adventures there in the months to come. For now….. Looking back to January’s column, have you had a chance to visit http://dogtime.com/matchup and think about what type of dog would best fit in your household? If not, hop on over and take a peek right now. This quiz will help you decide which dog’s size, breed type and activity level will be the perfect fit for your family. With that done, now comes the fun part! Would you prefer a puppy or an adult dog? Each have their advantages. Oh my goodness! Is there anything more adorable than a chubby, squiggly puppy? With their soft coat and sweet puppy breath, it is indeed hard to resist falling in Puppy Love. There are a great many benefits to bringing a puppy home. Probably the most important factor to consider is TIME. Do you have time to train and socialize a puppy? They must be taken to potty every 2-3 hours to effectively housetrain them. And it is essential that a puppy be socialized, this means introducing them to different people and social situations so that puppy will grow into a confident, secure adult dog. Puppies must also be monitored carefully because as we all know….puppies chew! Yes, puppies are time consuming and a lot of work but they also bring boundless joy and the opportunity for your kids to grow up with a canine ‘brother or sister’. Think of a puppy as a blank slate, just waiting to co-create its life with you. If you opt for a mature dog, you will bring into your home a dog that is more settled and most probably less destructive as they will have been through the teething process. Adult dogs tend to settle in more easily and may already have some basic obedience training. However, an adult dog will typically have an unknown history and may have behavior issues that must be dealt with. A reputable rescue or animal shelter will have done a temperament/behavioral assessment and would be able to match you with your perfect canine companion as well as provide some insight into the dog’s personality. I have adopted both puppies and mature dogs, puppies are fun-filled, active, time intensive bundles of joy. Adult dogs are attentive, loving, eager-to-please family members. Which will you choose? Adorable puppy or settled adult……either way, your home will be filled with laughter and love for years to come. Please join me in sharing photos of your furry friends on the Mindfulness Mothers FaceBook page, I’d love to see who shares your home! Happy Spring and ‘see’ you next month! - Jeanna Billings |
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Jeanna Billings is an Animal Communicator serving an international clientele, a Reiki Master and a Certified Crystal Healer. She volunteered for many years with humane societies and animal rescues, serving as a Board Director, Adoption Counselor and Humane Educator. She currently teaches animal communication classes and provides private consultations. She lives in Indiana with her husband, three dachshunds, two cats and a very chatty parakeet. You can find her online at www.ShamansSpirit.net .
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