I have always owned a dog for as long as I could remember. My whole life there has always been one or more dogs around me. From birth til as long as we had them.
Even though dogs have always been in my life more than any other animal, it doesn't mean I knew how to properly care for them. I am was not abusive. I was a child and a distracted teenager.
When I was younger than 13 years old, I was not brought up with the precise care for animals as most vets recommend. I didn't even understand the definition of matted.
I would run with my dogs and love them but what child doesn't?
As a teenager I enjoyed dogs but they weren't exactly my main focus. I still played, fed and bathed them.
I was keeping them alive and maybe now and then spend more than 30 minutes outside with them.
As I grow up, I'm learning more and more about the importance of proper animal care and how much our furry baby loves us. Even when we have been given them minimum effort, they still jump at the chance to be around us. That's how they love: unconditionally.
I have grown up surround by dogs but that doesn't mean I knew how to care for them.
I teach myself now. I read product and food labels. I do weekly checkups personally and act accordingly. I research for hours but the one thing I've yet to do is physically spend more than an hour outside. I am not an active person and don't see myself changing in the future. At least not enough to run for hours a week. My dogs are physically active beings. They want to run and chase for miles. Knowing this I have come to the conclusion that loving and caring for them isn't enough. They deserve that physical play and that is why these puppies will be my last. I will continue to own animals and love dogs but I will not adopt animals that I can't provide the life they deserve.
With this, I do not mean that I will ignore dogs in shelters. I want to help them find homes that will provide proper care. To volunteer and become an activist for their lives. Even though I will not own one, I will do what I can to show them I care.
