Should I Get a Dog?
Consider the Dog
You live in New York City and you’ve decided you want a dog. How do you get started? The first thing you need to do is ignore the folks who say that dogs need backyards and wide-open spaces to be happy. That’s simply untrue. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and temperaments. You will be able to find a pooch who’ll suit your urban lifestyle… and you will alter your urban lifestyle to suit your new best friend. There is plenty to keep a city dog active and engaged. Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog, writes (kind of poetically I might add):
Dogs don’t stop looking–at the gimpy walk, at a rush of leaves tumbling down the sidewalk, at our faces. The urban dog may be bereft of natural sights, but he is rich in the odd: the drunken man swerving through the crowd; the shouting sidewalk preacher; the lame and destitute. All get long stares from the dogs who pass them. What makes dogs good anthropologists is that they are so attuned to humans: they notice what is typical, and what is different.
Your city dog will enjoy long walks with lots to see and smell… at your local dog park he’ll have the company of dozens of other canines and humans, something country dogs rarely experience… you’ll have access to dog runs, dog-friendly parks, and nearby beaches and state forests… if you’re so inclined, there are many dog-centric fairs and festivals you can attend… with minimal searching you’ll find outdoor cafes and stores you can go to with your dog… and finding pet-friendly apartments isn’t hard. Having a dog in the city might take a little more care and planning than it would in suburbia, but it can be done. And it’s fun. Just imagine what it will be like to wake up every morning and be greeted by a face like this:
Before you choose a dog, answer these ten essential questions from the ASPCA. If you’re satisfied with your answers, it’s time for your next step: selecting a dog!
