LITTLE ROCK — Do you have a question about pets? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail rowen@arkansasonline.com
We've been following the story about Ellen DeGeneres and the dog she adopted from a rescue group, then gave to her hairdresser and two kids. When the rescue group took the dog back from the hairdresser, the two ladies in charge said they didn't place animals in homes with children under age 14. I know lots of families with kids that have dogs. What's the deal?
We can't explain the reasoning of Mutts & Moms, the California organization from which DeGeneres adopted her dog, but we can say that many animal shelters and rescue organizations have guidelines about placing dogs in homes with children.
These agencies are looking out for the welfare of their animals. They aren't opposed to families with children having pets, but they want to place animals with owners who have given careful consideration to all the issues of pet ownership.
One of those issues is whether a potential owner understands the responsibilities that owning a pet entails.
Since the DeGeneres case involved kids and dogs, we'll focus on that issue.
People in the animal-welfare field suggest that families with children under 6 years old consider adopting a socialized and trained adult dog instead of a puppy. One reason is that puppies are babies and, as such, are delicate and easily injured. Young children want to pull a puppy's tails and ears,and pick up the pup, hug it and carry it around. Without meaning to, they may handle the pup roughly.
Puppies require a lot of time, supervision and patience on the part of a pet owner. Plus, they must be socialized, which means they should be taken places where they'll be in contact with other people and animals. They need to be trained in obedience and manners. They have to be taken to the veterinarian.
Also, housetraining a puppy requires attention and diligence, meaning an owner should be willing to take the animal outside regularly - even in the middle of the night. Think about the stress of housetraining a pet and potty training a toddler at the same time. Or consider having to feed and take a puppy outside while you're trying to get your kids ready for day care and yourself ready for work.
In her new book, Dogs for Kids, Kristin Mehus-Roe says a person thinking about getting a dog should consider:
The reasons for wanting a dog and the responsibilities of dog ownership.
If you want to get a pure or mixed-breed dog. If you prefer to buy or adopt a dog.
What breed, type or size of dog is best for your family. Size is important. For example, small breeds of dogs may be too delicate for the rough handling of children. Also, small-breed dogsare more easily frightened by noise and activity, and frightened dogs may snap or bite. Very large dogs may be too strong for small children; a dog may unintentionally knock over or step on a child. And some dogs just don't have temperaments suitable for family life.
How much time you can devote to the animal.
A plan for feeding, grooming, training, playing with and walking the dog.
If the dog will be inside or outside while the family is away from home.
If anyone in the household is allergic to animal dander.
Arkansas Online hosts a photo gallery of pets available for adoption. Upload a picture of animals you need adopted or see pictures of those that need a home at
www2.arkansasonline.com/petadopt/
.
Family, Pages 35, 37 on 10/24/2007