Pets and How To Care For Them

Addilyn Skiles, Junior reporter

Do you want to learn more about animals? Well, then you are in the right place. In this story you will get the chance to learn about dogs, cats, horses, and pigs. I hope you enjoy.

The first thing that I will be teaching you about is dogs or more specifically black labs. I have three black labs: Susan, Millie and Pepper. Susan is two years old while Millie and Pepper are only five months old. Something that you will need to know about having, or thinking about adopting, a black lab is that they grow to be about 80-90 pounds. They live for around 12 years and they are known for being friendly, affectionate and active. They absolutely love to swim. Because of their webbed feet  they can swim better than other dogs, so don’t be afraid to let them swim. Black labs have the same health issues as any other Labrador Retrievers but the most common of their health issues is Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) but it can also spread to different parts of their body like their shoulders and elbows. According to (othdog.com) “Canine hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint where the head of the femur bone doesn’t fit precisely into the hip socket” You just have to make sure that you’re getting your dog from a responsible breeder and that the dog’s parents did not suffer from that disease. But other than that, the Labradors are very healthy dogs. Feeding your lab a healthy diet in appropriate portions can help to maintain a healthy weight. It is an important factor in their health. You also want to make sure that you get an appropriate amount of regular exercise but not too much exercise because that could trigger dysplasia. Ask your veterinarian to help you get the appropriate diet and exercise for your lab. Black labs are also fondly known as hunting dogs. They hunt Ducks, Pheasants, Rabbits, and Geese in many parts of the world. On the other hand, there are also show dogs. Black labs are commonly found in shows because they are such beautiful dogs. They are also skilled and courageous service dogs. They assist our soldiers in the Army and help catch drug dealers. They can help blind people, deaf people, and people with other disabilities. Overall, the black lab is a world-renowned top-class amazing dog and any person is lucky to have one (or in my case 3).

That brings us to our next topic, the German shepherd. I am the proud owner of one and his name is Wade who is six weeks old. These are some things you will need to know before you adopt. Firstly, a German shepherd will follow you any and everywhere. Though it might seem cute at first, when they start tripping you and following you into the bathroom then that is when it starts to get a little annoying. Second, they require mental stimulation which basically means that they never get tired and you are never allowed to let them get bored. They also act differently at home than they do in public meaning that they love you and cuddle with you at home but the second you bring them out in public they become distant but this is all normal and is nothing to worry about German shepherds are natural guard dog so they can sometimes start to turn aggressive and territorial if they have not been socialized. And they are smart, like scary smart. They can figure out your morning routine before you even figure it out. And they also know what walk means. So, if you are looking for one of these dogs take into consideration all of the things that you have just learned but also remember that once you have a German shepherd you will most likely never own a different dog again. German shepherds are some of the best listeners and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face with not just their listening skills but their foolish clumsiness. 

Lastly, we will be talking about horses. I have five horses, two boys, Mars and Shaq, and then three girls: Ginger, Lilly, and Tori. The first thing that you are going to need to know, is that it is going to be a lot of work. Now that you know that, let’s get started. Horses need lots of space because they are so big.  Which leads me to the next tip: horses are big, and if you scare them, they will not hesitate to trample you. They run first and think later (and they run fast) so you need to make sure that there is absolutely no way that they can escape. They are very expensive, not just to buy but for their whole life (which is 25-30 years). Between their food and their saddles and all of the land that you will need, I’ll tell you the money just piles up. They need manicures every six weeks and they don’t care if they mess up yours. But, on the other hand, there’s a feeling that you just can’t explain when you are riding a horse. It is like you are flying; the way you hair just flies in the wind. Then there’s that unexplainable bond you share with your horse that no one or nothing will ever understand. There’s the way they act when they see that it’s you, and the way that they never act around anyone else but you. Their soft knickers when you are next to them, their soft luscious fur. Like I just explained, the feeling of owning a horse is like no other, but owning a horse is definitely not for everyone. So if you are considering getting a horse think about all of these things and make sure that you do it right because owning a horse is a 25-30 year commitment.

In conclusion, owning any pet is not an easy job but if you have the right facts and you do it right then owning a pet is the most rewarding thing ever. Thank you for your time but remember that this is not the only resource that you need to look at. follow these links to learn more about these animals.(black lab Link)(German shepherd Link)(Horses Link)