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Animal-Human Relationships
- 1. Ten Reasons Your Dog Makes the Best Valentine's Day Date
- 2. Top Four Pet-Related Arguments -- And How to Solve Them
- 3. Is My Dog A Victim of Divorce?
How Can I Get My Neighbors to Like Mixed Breed Dogs?
Stephanie LaFarge, Ph.D
Relationships
A psychologist answers human/animal relationship questions
I inherited a lovely house from my great aunt, who was a breeder of champion Cavalier King Charles spaniels. When I moved in, I noticed my neighbor’s disdain for the two elderly shepherd mixes whom I’d rescued from the local shelter. Eventually, I will want to adopt again—but purebreds are definitely the norm for this part of town. How do I resist the pressure to buy the kind of dog my neighbors will admire?— Sandy R.
Your good fortune presents a golden opportunity to promote the value of countless wonderful, adoptable shelter animals.
When you adopt, think of your new mixed breed as an ambassador for shelter dogs. There are many enjoyable ways to draw positive attention to him. First and foremost, train the dog to be a friendly neighbor and a canine good citizen. Then, consider volunteering as a pet therapy team at local hospitals. The Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org) can help you get started. If your dog enjoys agility classes, locate competitions in your area that are open to both mixed and pure breeds, where you can introduce him to other owners. Finally, target reluctant neighbors with acts of kindness that involve your dog. Distribute homemade dog treats, participate in animal-friendly holiday activities or let him become a local “mascot.” This may seem like a lot of effort, but the benefits extend beyond your current predicament. When others see the value in your mixed-bred dog, they might be inspired to adopt one themselves.
I find myself liking pets more than people. My dogs, Mallory and Jacob, are like children to me. In fact, I much prefer them to other people’s kids. But my friends and relatives say that it’s unhealthy to view animals as equal to—or better than—human beings. They think it’s especially foolish that I maxed out my credit cards to pay for 13-year-old Mallory’s $9,000 heart surgery. Am I really nuts?— Gail L.
I admire your willingness to examine your own motivations. Your letter raises several important, but different, issues. It is a waste of energy to compare your commitment to Mallory and Jacob to what you might feel toward hypothetical children of your own. You have room in your heart for both dogs and people; in truth, responsible pet ownership usually predicts good parenting behaviors. For now, however, your attention and resources are focused on Mallory. It is normal to feel defensive when criticized, but be careful that your judgement is not distorted by your need to demonstrate loyalty to Mallory. He knows that he is the beneficiary of your devotion; you don’t have to prove the quality of your love to anyone else. Please make sure that you don’t extend Mallory’s life beyond his ability to enjoy it.
Stephanie LaFarge is the senior director of Counseling Services for the ASPCA.
Reprinted from ASPCA Animal Watch, Spring 2004, Vol. 24, No. 1, with permission from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128-6804
Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org
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