The Perfect Friend

By Patricia J. Paddock

Jean wanted a new friend. One who would keep her secrets and not try to dump her for the "cool" group. One day while helping her mom with the dishes, Jean asked, "Mom, can I have a dog?"

"Why?" her mom asked. "We already have two dogs."

"It's just that they aren't really MY dogs." Jean replied. "And every pet that comes in here, winds up following YOU everywhere," she added.

"Well, that's because I'm the one who takes them out and feeds them," Jean's mom answered with a grin. "So of course they follow me everywhere—they see me and they think 'food.' If you want a dog, you'll have to do all that, and that's a lot of responsibility for a 10-year-old."

Jean looked her mom directly in the eye and, using her best grown-up voice, said, "Mom, I promise: You let me get a dog and I'll do all that—I'll housebreak it, train it, feed it. I'll do everything. Please."

Jean's mom sighed. "I'll have to talk with your dad about this," she said. "After all, adding another pet should be a family decision." Jean hugged her mom—she knew her mom would convince her dad!

The Right Match!

That next month, after reading every dog-training book the library had, Jean and her parents went to the shelter. Jean sat in a room and the shelter's volunteer brought in all sorts of dogs—big, small, young, and old ones who wanted to play, others who just wanted to leave. Jean's parents kept asking her "Is this the right dog?" Each time Jean shook her head no.

Then in came a golden colored dog. She walked right up to Jean and sat down next to her. Jean reached out to pet her and the dog put her head right on Jean's knee. As Jean scratched the dog's head, its ears perked up, as if ready to listen. "This is my dog," Jean said to her parents. Jean leaned over and began to talk quietly to her new friend.

Finding a Friend

Looking to find a four-legged friend of your own? Check out your local shelter or animal rescue society—they've got all sorts of animals who are looking for a good home. As you look, keep these three things in mind:

1. You need your parents' permission. Getting a pet should be a family decision. More importantly, no shelter, breeder, or pet store will sell you a pet without your parents there—after all, they don't want you sending the pet back.
   
2. You need to meet its needs. Talk with your parents and sibs about the type of pet you want, and what type of time commitment the whole family is willing to make. Big dogs will need more attention, exercise, and food than cats will.
   
3. You want a pet that's healthy. Make sure that the shelter has given the pet all of its shots, and has spayed or neutered it—you don't want to have to worry about finding homes for little ones. Then have a private veterinarian check out the pet to make sure it doesn't have any serious illnesses. A sore or mild infection can be easily treated, but you don't want to give your heart to a pet that's too ill to live for very long.