Dear Looking: Not having a dog in more than 20 years is like a lifetime away from dogs. A lot has changed regarding dog ownership since then and most likely so has your lifestyle.

By KIM HARMON

Published: Jul 29, 2005 12:00 am

Dear Looking: Not having a dog in more than 20 years is like a lifetime away from dogs. A lot has changed regarding dog ownership since then and most likely so has your lifestyle.

One consistent comment I have heard from people who get another puppy after 15 years â the average lifespan of a dog â is how much harder it seems each time a new puppy joins the family. Dog owners tell me things like they donât remember it taking so long to housebreak the pup, or how time consuming it is to get up in the middle of the night to walk the dog, or how expensive the vet bills are or the puppy is so full of energy. What people fail to realize is that each decade just as vet prices go up, so does our age. A puppy may have the same amount of energy itâs just that we arenât as young anymore with matching energy to battle the endless bundle of joy. Itâs something to think about.

Choose A Breed

For Your Lifestyle

One question you need to ask yourself is should you get a puppy or maybe an adult dog. Examine your lifestyle and see if having a puppy, which is like caring for a baby, will fit. If you want the dog to be good with kids then you will have to spend the time to properly socialize the dog around the children when the puppy is young.

As for the cat, if you get a puppy it should be no problem for the dog to grow up around a cat. The problem will be how will your cat react to any new dog in the household, puppy or otherwise. You may need to give your cat extra attention once a new pet arrives on the doorstep to keep peace in the house.

Itâs interesting you would pick two breeds so far apart from each other to consider. Obviously, as a Norwegian Elkhound breeder I can tell you on the negative side they shed horribly, are loud insistent barkers, and these hounds will follow their nose despite obedience training. However, they are extremely loyal, friendly and a great family member.

As for the Smooth Collie, these herding dogs have less fur, donât bark as often and would be more likely to stick around plus they have a great get along with people personality. But research a breed before you buy and ask a responsible breeder all the breed-specific questions to get the best answers. Go to www.akc.org to find a breeder near you.

Lisaâs Pick Of The Litter

Intervet Inc., the worldâs leading manufacturer of animal health vaccines, announced the availability of Continuum(TM) DAP, the first and only U.S. government-approved vaccine that can be safely given to dogs once every three years instead of annually to protect against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus.

Until now, there have been no vaccines available in the United States (except rabies) approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use at three-year intervals. Other available vaccines that protect against these viruses are only approved for yearly administration.

âContinuum DAP is a milestone advancement in medicine for dogs,â said Sebastien Huron, DVM, Director, Companion Animal Business Unit, Intervet Inc. Continuum DAP is now available to pet owners in the U.S. through veterinarians. For more information about Continuum DAP, ask your veterinarian or visit http://www.continuumforpets.com.

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.

The People Of Newtown Deserve Facts, Not Speculation

Bruce Walczak On Leadership

Community Input Needed On Proposed Metal Detectors At NHS

Elections Have Consequences XIII

Discusses Smog

I have to say, I don’t understand how this project could be considered “morally wrong.” That kind of language feels more like obstruction than constructive dialogue. What is morally wrong is leaving seniors in our community without enough housing options. Right now, Newtown does not have adequate senior housing, and the few developments that exist, like Naunawag Meadows, already have waiting lists. As for the comment that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” that simply isn’t accurate. The system is broken when residents who’ve lived here their whole lives cannot find an affordable and appropriate place to age in town. Responsible development that balances environmental concerns, safety improvements (such as traffic calming measures and sidewalks), and the needs of our seniors is exactly the kind of planning Newtown should be doing. This isn’t about wanting or not wanting something in one’s backyard—it’s about building a community that takes care of its people. Please don't get scared away by the nimby mob.

Planning & Zoning Continues Discussion Of 12 Cold Spring Road

It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

Borough Board of Burgesses Continues Traffic Safety Discussion

John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

Late Night Prank Gone Wrong

First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

<< Aug 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
27	28	29	30	31	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

Dear Looking: Not having a dog in more than 20 years is like a lifetime away from dogs. A lot has changed regarding dog ownership since then and most likely so has your lifestyle.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply