the best friend...

going back to pets--

For my 21st birthday, my mom paid the fees for me to adopt a beautiful husky-mix from the Humane Society: Silicon Valley (HSSV). We were finally able to bring her home Monday and she has since been "living it up" around the house, and, I will be the first to admit that I find it hard to be disciplined in not giving her "people food" or letting her get too comfortable on my bed. She is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest disposition, but still enough curiousity and playfulness that she is eager to explore her new home and neighborhood or play with me in the living room. She has that puppy-spirit/heart that enjoys pawing at reflections on the floor from a mirror or watch face and you can see the "hunter" in her when she spotted one of my neighbor's cats in the backyard going after some birds (whom I sure will be relieved to have a dog around again). It's great to have a pet again after so many years, but I've been surprised over the number of "parental" problems to face!!

One of the foremost? :: should I crate her or not?

There's a lot of controversy in discussions over whether or not crating is fair treatment to the animals or not ("EEK!! It's a CAGE!!"-mentality). The literature I have read on the subject argues that it couldn't be further from cruelty, esp. in regard to dogs. They argue for the "den" quality of a crate, which dogs prefer and feel safest in, especially when they're rescuees.
This is probably true on a "typical" basis, but with my little Sasha? I'm finding it hard to acquiesce. She definitely prefers to hang out and sleep on a blanket or doggy bed and I always feel so guilty when I have to crate her up to leave for school. I know it's all part of discipline and, since she's been sleeping fine at night, I know there probably isn't a history of crate abuse in her past, but...it still doesn't change that it's not her favorite place. I guess I'll just have to continue walking her through it slowly and be there to assure her that I haven't gone anywhere. (on a side note: I'm glad that I opted not to go for the typical plastic crates you see usually and instead got a pretty nice canvas one which has a certain "camping" feel to it, and is a lot more inviting than the usual ones).

I love having a dog again, though, and there's such an extra satisfaction over knowing that I'm giving a good and loving home to a dog previously without one. True, there might be some "peace of mind" about puppies you buy from a litter or whatnot, but I think I'd rather roll the dice on an unknown history with my gorgeous husky mutt and know that there's one less dog in the pound at risk of fatal "kennel cough" or worse.


soo....if you're thinking about a new pet? Take it from me: The shelters and Humane Society are most certainly worth the time to look. Most pet adoptions in the area will include rescuees from these organizations and the staffs are very good about behavior assessments, fair treatment, vaccinations and loving care. At least give them a look:: there's a lot of happiness and satisfaction to be had~