Hello, everyone. This month, we’re talking about love, and what better love is there, than puppy love. I thought it would be nice to give you an insight into the secret lives of dogs and people.
Times they are a changing! In the past 10 or 15 years, people have changed the way they relate to their pet. These days, thankfully, people have gone dog wild! It starts when picking out the family pet. Most people will tell you that choosing their family pet was love at first sight. Many people say finding the right dog is like finding Mr. or Mrs. Right. A lot of thought goes into the breed, gender, personalities, and traits. That’s a good thing, because more and more people are choosing dogs that match their particular lifestyle and family make up. This makes the connection between family and pet a permanent one. According to a national poll, 60 percent of dog owners have said they were just as picky when selecting a dog as they were when searching for the perfect mate. In this same survey, it was discovered that 65% of people interviewed said if they were stranded on a deserted Island, they would want to have their dog there, too, outweighing significant others, family and friends as choice for companionship. That’s good because 58% of these dog owners think their pet exhibits jealousy if any attention is taken from the pet and given to someone else.
Today, dogs are often king and queen of the castle, sharing many every day people experiences right by their owners’ side. About 57% of these dogs sleep in the same bed with their owner (what is wrong with that number? It should be a lot higher, folks!). Most people allow their dogs to eat off their plate. Your mother would have freaked out if she had seen your dog take a bite of food off your fork, and then watch you continue using the same fork!
Another thing that has changed over the years is the perspective that dog owners have concerning their four-legged buddies. Pet owners today refer to themselves as the dog’s mommy or daddy, and owners will tell you that the care their dog receives is very much like the care they would give to a child.
Today, if you have a dog or cat, most likely his/her picture will have been featured on the family Christmas card at one time or another, and you will usually find the lovable mug’s face on a T-shirt, coffee cup, mouse pad, or other household items. Photographs framed in gold of the pet will be next to the photos of the grandparents, grandchildren, and other photos proudly displayed throughout the home and office.
The simple fact, folks, is that dogs and cats are members of the family. We love being treated like we’re in charge, even though we know you’re the only one that can operate the can opener. We love sharing our life and our heart with you. You can always count on us to be there for you. We are totally and helplessly in love with our family!
They call it puppy love! Make a connection with your four-legged kids today!
Have a great week, everyone!

Mango, a rescued pet, is the inspiration for this column by Debi Laibe. Send any questions or comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it