| By Alessandro B.
The Person-Pet Partnership Chapbook Project, 2009
Chapter Two: Doggy Details
Kim Pamperin is an amazing person, but Hounds on the Hudson wouldn't be what it is today without all the wonderful pooches that stay there. Those amazing creatures deserve some spotlight; a description of all the different aspects of dogs follows.
A dog is a mammal. They are warm-blooded, have fur, and don't lay eggs. In terms of their physical appearance, they generally have four legs, some type of tail, and can range in size. There are many different types of dogs, like the German Shepherd, which is large and strong, and the Chihuahua, which is tiny. Dogs can even have different faces. Some have pointy noses, like greyhounds, while others have flat faces, like pugs.
Dogs can come in a variety of colors and have different types of fur. For example, the Dalmatian is white with many black spots and has a very short coat. Doberman pinchers also have a sleek, short coat, but they are always black with brown accents. Golden retrievers have a medium length fur and are generally golden or reddish in color. Malteses, on the other hand, have very long fur that needs to be cut, and they are always white or light-colored.
As different as dogs can be in terms of appearance, they can also have different temperaments. Some dogs are lazy like the English bulldog, and others are playful, like the Labrador retriever. Dogs need different amounts of exercise based on their activity levels. Also, some dogs do not like the heat or the cold. Bulldogs, pugs, and boxers all have trouble with warm weather because they have short noses that make it difficult for them to breathe. Small dogs with short coats, like the toy fox terrier, or smooth-coated Daschunds, don't like cold weather because they don't have enough fur to keep them warm. They often need a little coat or blanket when they go outside.
Besides exercise and care, dogs need to eat! Dogs eat a variety of things, like dog food, human food, and water. Some people only feed their dogs food from a pet store, like canned food or dry food. Some people feed their dogs leftovers from their own dinner table. Some people feed their dogs pet food, but also give them human food treats.
Dogs, beyond all this, need love. Our fuzzy friends crave human companionship through playtime, walks, or just cuddles. That is what is most important about fuzzy friends.
CLICK FOR Chapter Three: The History of Doggy Day Care |
