What do you call someone who feels like a part of you? Cheers you up when you need a boost? What about someone who’s always there to provide companionship and unconditional love? All of these things can apply to family or friends, but for many of us, they can also apply to dogs.
Dogs are more than just pets to many people. They are a part of the family. They fill all of those roles and more, asking nothing in return except regular meals and the occasional session of fetch in the backyard.
Of course, a commitment like that takes more than simply bringing a canine companion home with you one day. The care and upkeep of a true companion dog leads many families to invest in some serious accessories for their dog.
Perhaps no area of dog life is more important than keeping track of your pet’s location. Dogs don’t recognize property lines or even geographical boundaries. Some dogs just love an adventure, and they let you worry about keeping up with them instead of the other way around.
Fortunately, technology today makes it possible to let your dog roam and ramble to his or her heart’s content while keeping your heart from worrying about just where the path has led. Dogs who really love to hit the road can be fitted with a Garmin Astro dog tracking system. This amazing tool lets you home right in on your dog when it’s time to call it a day, whether the itinerary has been hunting, tracking, or hiking.
A system like this works great, but if you find yourself without one, be sure your dog at least has been implanted with a chip. These simple devices can lead to a wonderful reunion, no matter how far your dog has roamed.
Another necessity for a dog is a good way to transport him or her. As much fun as it can be to let your dog enjoy the breeze from your front seat, the better option is to use a sturdy crate to make sure everybody gets to their destination together. Your dog may use a stop at a gas station to initiate pursuit of a deer or do any of countless things to get away from you when you least expect it. Keeping the dog in a crate during transport also keeps you from having problems driving when an uncontained dog tries to snuggle you at 70 miles an hour.
After the day’s adventures, your friend needs a good place to sleep. Sometimes the extra space at the foot of your bed will pass muster, but many dogs are more comfortable on a nice pet bed. It can be placed anywhere that your dog socially prefers to be, and it provides a more comfortable surface for resting so that the next day begins with those canine batteries recharged and ready for whatever is next. For indoor-outdoor dogs, the bed also simplifies the process of pest control by reducing the area that needs monitoring for fleas, ticks, and other invaders.
Speaking of parasites, the most luxurious thing you can give your dog is good health. Get that first vet visit done during the puppy months, and get all the appropriate vaccines on schedule so that your best friend will be protected from heartworm, rabies, distemper, and so forth.
A dog is a loyal part of the family. As such, he or she deserves the best living conditions we can provide to stay healthy and happy–and at home.
