"Dog ownership is a community"

"Dog ownership is a community." Being a dog owner, we all identify with each other as we have gone through similar experiences with having a dog. Such as puppy potty training, the terrible chewing stage or we identify with each other over the types of breed are dogs are, similar personalities or traits that our dogs have.

The dog ownership community brings resourceful information. We share veterinarian information, the latest in dog boarding, different foods and treats that are out on the market, where the best place is to shop for dog toys or doggy salons. The dog community can also provide a lot of support in times where your dog could be ill. There has been advice swapped in getting second opinions on surgery and different medicines. This community also provides valuable information on recent areas that they may have visited that may not have been dog friendly that dog owners should avoid. As dog owners, we share similar interests in taking our dogs for walks, to the dog park and on hiking trails. The dog owner community is open and accepting of all types of dogs.

There are things that can bring tension to our community. These are aggressive dogs and irresponsible dog owners. Having an aggressive dog can bring unwanted tension into the dog ownership community. We have to go on alert and protect our dogs and ourselves. We have to go the extra mile to ensure everyone else around us feels safe. An example of this would be, on a hiking trail. If a dog owner is out hiking with their dog, and another hiker is approaching, at all times the dog and owner should step immediately to the side and have the dog in a sitting position to let the approaching party pass and not feel threatened that your dog will attack or jump out at them. The passing hiker will feel at ease that the dog owner has control of their animal and they feel safe to pass. Picking up after your dog is another area that can bring tension to the dog owner community. Irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up after their dogs give the rest of the dog owner community that do pick up after their dog a bad reputation. Nobody wants to step in dog waste. So, we feel inclined to pick up what our previous canine owner may have left behind, especially at parks or on hiking trails. This helps keep our dog ownership community respected and for the most part, we try to look out for one another.

As a dog owner of Shiloh and Porter (picture), I am a part of the dog ownership community. I feel incredibly lucky to have my dogs. We like to share parks, hiking trails and all sorts of dog-related experiences with the rest of the world. I feel accepted and appreciated while within the dog ownership community. I have made many friends through the years being a dog owner. Non dog owners generally like dogs as long as you are a responsible dog owner that has control of your animal. Non dog owners are eager to approach and tell you how cute your dogs are and that strikes up all types of conversations and the feeling of acceptance. At times having a dog is a great icebreaker to building new friendships. Having my dogs and their love along with the rest of the dog ownership community makes me feel accepted. I genuinely enjoy hanging out with my dogs and am so fortunate to be their owner.

Tiffany