Furry Friend Tag

August 26th 2017

Surprise, it’s a Saturday bonus post! It’s National Dog Day, so what better excuse is there for me to talk about how much I love my dog?

A dog is a member of your family. Dogs know when you’re hurting and need some loving, are up to take adventures with you when none of your lame human friends can, and are a buddy who is always by your side. Today is National Dog Day so I thought what would be better than to do the Furry Friend Tag with my dog so that I could, in a way, introduce her to my online audience while explaining the benefits of owning a furry friend of your own (and plus you get a cute puppy picture out of the deal so everybody wins!): (Via: YoutubeSociety)

•  What is your pets name?

My dog’s name is Bella, probably slightly inspired by my mom’s interest in Twilight at the time!

• What breed is your dog?

Bella is a Shih Tzu/Maltese mix! She has the build and coloring of a Shih Tzu and a very Maltese face (So no underbite!)

• How long have you had your pet friend?

We’ve had Bella for about 7 years now.

• How did you get your pet?

Bella is from a local breeder. Just a small independent couple who had a few Shih Tzus and Malteses that they allowed to breed freely. (Adopting or shopping via local independent breeders is far better than supporting puppy mills!)

• How old is your pet?

I believe Bella is 7 years old, but I’ve lost track because physically, she hasn’t aged at all!

• What is your favorite memory with your pet?

My favorite memory with Bella has to be watching Catfish together on a rainy day (just your typical girl’s day, obviously…)

• What are some quirky things about your pets personality?

Bella likes fruits and veggies more than meat. You could drop a steak on the ground and she won’t touch it, but drop a string bean and she will fight you for it!

• What does your relationship with your pet mean to you?

My relationship with my pet is so important to me because Bella is just this fragile little furry lump who relies on me to give her a good life and I just want to make her feel as happy and loved as she makes me feel.

• What are some of your favorite past times with your pet?

As I mentioned before, Bella and I both like being lazy and watching stupid shows on TV. She may be a dog, but I know she understands Catfish and knows what’s going on. She just pretends she doesn’t get it!

• What are nicknames you call your pet?

I call Bella tons of names and very rarely ever call her Bella. I call her Doodle, Muffin, Puppy, Puppydoodle, Doodz, etc. She has learned to respond to whatever I call her.

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Dogs benefit us both physically and mentally in ways we never even think about! Here a just a few cool things dogs do for us!

• Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduce anxiety, pain, and depression (Being someone with anxiety, I can totally vouch for this one)
• Boosts the overall immune system
• Improves emotional and social development in children
• Helps lower blood pressure
• And they can actually help us live a longer life!

Dogs can also be trained to do some really amazing things! They can detect cancers, act as emotional support service dogs, and even predict and help their owners during seizures if trained properly!

Another really cool thing I learned is that German Shepherds were actually voted NY’s most popular dog breed in 2017 (which is only because the whole state of NY didn’t get a chance to meet Bella, but I digress)!

So whether you already have a furry friend of your own or are searching to grow your family by 4 legs and a tail, many of us can agree that dogs are amazing companions (and cute as heck).

To round out this post, I want to give advice to any people who are inspired to get a dog! Dogs are super fun and great companions, but they also come with a lot of emotional, physical, and environmental responsibility.

1. Make sure you live in a good environment that can support the dog you want- I would not recommend getting a Husky in you live in a studio apartment with no yard and I would also not recommend you get a Chihuahua in a neighborhood that is known to have big roaming wildlife. Choosing a dog that fits the environment you live is super important for giving you and your four legged friend a happy life.
2. Do your research- A lot goes into choosing the right dog for you! Figure out your ideal breed and your price range first. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking to get, read into it! Many dogs have a lot of underlying health issues that we don’t know about them from just looking at them! Beagles and other droopy eared dogs are prone to ear infection and dogs with squished snouts like pugs are prone to sinus and respiratory problems! So be aware going in so you don’t get into something with bigger needs than you can handle.
3. Be present- The saddest thing I see is people getting dogs and then never being home for them. Dogs get lonely like people do, but dogs can’t just go out whenever they feel like it. If you’re going to get a furry friend, make sure you’re home for it to keep it company or give it the exercise it needs!
4. Know where you’re buying from- Whether you choose to use Puppyspot.com, a local shelter, or elsewhere, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Read reviews and know where you are getting your pet from before you buy. Shop from ethical sites and adoption centers and do not support anything that appears to be a puppy mill or a place that mistreats their animals!  Support only reputable adoption centers and breeders and help put a stop to puppy mills and kill shelters!

So all in all, I hope you have an amazing National Dog Day scrolling through your social media feed enjoying puppy pictures! Feel free to try out the Furry Friend Tag with your pet (and tag me so I can see all of your beautiful furry friends)!

Jess~