Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 15, 1993                   TAG: 9307150452
SECTION: PARENT'S GUIDE                    PAGE: PGS-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By SARAH COX
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO BE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS

When her children were younger - they're now 7 and 10 years old - she believed they were too small for pets. About a year ago, she said "the boys really wanted a dog, so I started doing research."

Reed said she went to the SPCA, but hesitated there because she wouldn't know the history of the dog. She also talked to a vet on the phone and to friends, who explained the importance of a good-natured animal from a safety viewpoint.

She also checked on references of breeders in the area through the veterinarian, went to the library, and called the American Kennel Club for brochures on basset hounds.

Reed said another important factor she considered was expenses, particularly those she would be expecting in the dog's first year - for instance, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, antibiotics and a dog crate.

"I really relate it to having a baby," she said, and adds that a dog owner must be serious about giving their new pet a lot of time. Even though she waited until her children were older, it is still hard to give them the responsibility of walking and feeding the dog.

"Sometimes they like to feed her," Reed said, "but she's 50 pounds so the boys can't really walk her."

Reed said she knew beforehand that training would be a time consideration. It takes a long time, traditionally, to housebreak a basset hound.

"We'd go two to three weeks and do great, and then boom! We'd be back to square one. At one time I thought about finding a basset hound support group," she said.

The breeder she bought her dog from gave her informational brochures and made her sign an agreement that "we'd take her to the vet right away. It takes real dedication," said Reed.

"You must accept the animal into your home and it has to be a part of your family. My kids talk to her and tell her things. They will sit and talk to her like she's another child. And it's a great stress reliever, too. If you've had a hard day, you can come in, stroke her, and she'll lick you back," she said.

Reed is the ideal pet owner in many vets' eyes. She did her research, knew what to expect and accepted responsibility for her dog.

But the SPCA sees another kind of pet owner too often, according to Barbara Jones, humane educator.

Jones said she goes into the schools and tries to educate children about the responsibilities of being a good pet owner. She discusses such topics as euthanasia, spaying and neutering with the older children, and with the younger ones she brings her "Sam board" along, which shows a homeless dog.

This board gives her the opportunity to discuss what will happen to homeless animals, and why the "dog catcher is a good thing, even if the animals have to be humanely put to sleep," said Jones.

"After we get Sam picked up, we get him adopted, but before he goes home, he goes to the vet to get all his shots and tags." she explained.

Jones then goes on with Sam's life and the various responsibilities of pet ownership, some of which are state laws - for instance, pets must have fresh food and water daily. They should also have a fenced-in yard, or if they are chained up, they need a good shade tree, a dog house for shelter, and a walk every day.

"They're companion animals, so they need companionship, not just to be tied up in the backyard all the time. We need to start seeing animals in a different light. I touch on slavery - with dogs, we breed them to be used just as slaves were bred to be used. But they have the same needs as we do. They're feelings will be hurt if they are tied up in the back yard and no one comes back to talk to them," said Jones.

And gone are the days when you can walk into the SPCA and get a pet as a surprise for your mother-in-law. You now have to talk to an adoption counselor, fill out an application and pass muster, and fork over $50.

But Jones defended the cost. "Thirty dollars of that gives the dog their first Parvo and Distemper shots, a Kennel Cough vaccine, and it will deworm them once. It also entitles them to a free office visit to the veterinarian for an examination. The $20 dollar balance is returned on a certificate that helps to pay for spaying or neutering."

Jones said the fee for the latter is based on sex and weight of the pet, but that area pet owners can get in touch with the Pet Assistance League or Co-Snap, sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Veterinary Association, for reduced fees. The latter's reduction is based on economic need.

"There's just no sense in adopting out an animal that's not going to go to a responsible home or that's going to be returned. Our counselor tries to educate people," said Jones.

She said children five years old and younger are really too young for a pet, and that most psychologists agree that toddlers have no clear notion as to how to pet the dog nicely.

Another thing the counselor discusses is the family situation. If there are two children and they all live in an apartment, perhaps a German Shepherd wouldn't be the best choice. A cat might do better. If they travel a lot, a cat is more independent and adjusts better to being left behind.

And, "we encourage more than one pet, if people aren't going to be home. There's less destruction with no bored, lonely dog at home," said Jones.

Dr. Jesse Webster of the Vinton Veterinary Hospital said he feels the same way about matching up families and pets.

"If they live in the suburb or city with a lot that can be fenced in, they can get a larger dog that needs exercise," said Webster.

"There are a lot of good breeds to choose from," he said. Some dogs are better with children than others. Webster said a reputable breeder is a good source, and so is the SPCA. The newspaper is also a good source, but you should look carefully at the puppies and especially at the mother.

Webster also said the family must assess the responsibilities involved.

"There is money, time and an emotional commitment," he said, suggesting that the dog-training classes offered through city and county recreation departments are inexpensive.

"Forty percent of the mature animals given up to the SPCA are let go because they are unruly and untrained. This is because the owners didn't understand the importance of training," Webster said.

But he hastened to point out the advantages. "It's like one client told me - they got a dog for each child they had so the dog could raise the child. And they give you unconditional love. If you love animals, you're probably going to love people. The first word my younger child said was the dog's name."

Dr. Linda Jennings of the Brandon Animal Hospital also said the advantages of owning a pet are many.

"Life with a dog is a shared experience. We try to emphasize the human-animal bond. It instills a sense of worth and responsibility. Owning a pet has to be a two-way street. You must respect the pet and realize it's work. You can't take it for granted. There is never a substitute for an adult role in the house. I think 11- to 16-year-olds can handle everything, but 6- to 10-year-olds are just starting school and adjusting to academics. Don't put the load of chores on a child." she said.

She cautioned about acquiring an older pet, saying that it's important to know its history.

"I would probably choose a younger dog. And if you have another dog, find out first if he or she will let another dog in the house, or if there will be turmoil," Jennings said. She suggested bringing the second dog home on a contingency basis for the day to try things out.