Guinness's Doggie Bill of Rights

A Dog Is A Responsibility...Not A Right. If you have chosen to bring a dog into your family, it is your responsibility to see that you meet ALL of his needs. Training helps build trust and affection between you and your dog. My dog, Guinness, has written his very own Doggie Bill of Rights that he wanted me to share with you so that your relationship can be as strong as ours is. I am pretty sure this was the translation... As your best friend, I am entitled to: • Nutritious Food. A well-balanced diet provides me with the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed to maintain a healthy body condition. Choose a food that starts with a protein (or more than one) and is followed by a carbohydrate or two. I have yet to meet a fellow dog that runs into the corn field to eat instead of after the chicken. • A Safe Environment. I am a den animal. I sleep better, as you do, when I feel safe & secure. Provide me with a sense of security and get me a crate. This is MY bedroom…and you don’t even have to spend big bucks remodeling! (I love when you leave the door open, too, and I am allowed a choice to come and go as I please when you are home…) • Stimulation. Every one of us needs a job; whether simple or complex; it is vital to my mental health. You’re always telling me how smart I am…but I can get into trouble very quickly and easily. The number one reason that I am destructive? I’m bored! (I love stuffed Kongs, Tricky Treat Balls, Nylabones, and Buster Cubes if you don’t have time to play today…) • Socialization. Let me meet lots of people and other animals in lots of various environments, under numerous distractions and various noises. I love new experiences, so I can learn how to handle everyday situations. What I run into on a daily basis can really help later since you’ve shown me surprises are everyday and no big deal. Especially loud noises…those are scary, but I’ve learned they mean cheese or chicken, so they’re really not so bad after all, I think! • Playtimes. Very important to my overall health...not just physically, but mentally as well. Shaping Games, Retrieving, Tug Games, a cool game called 2-Ball…these are all excellent bonding exercises too! I LOVE to play with you…we have so much fun…even the “stays” are worth doing when I know I can make you throw the ball for me to chase! • Peace and Quiet. Think you’re the only one who needs peace and quiet? Wrong! Sometimes, mom, I just need my share too! A second reason to give me my own bedroom. Especially when your friends come over with their kids…sometimes it gets to be too much and I need a break. I thank you for not allowing them to bother me in my room, too, so I can just relax and nap and not worry. • Companionship. All dogs are very loyal. We love being around our pack! Please give us love and attention. Sometimes you are tired after work, but I’ve been waiting all day for you and I am so glad that you take the time to play with me…I love you so much for allowing me to run with you and feel free! • Understanding. I don’t always know your English words, but I want more than anything to please you and receive praise from you. I just don’t always know how. Please help me understand what you want by praising me and rewarding me for a job well done. Please ignore and forgive my mistakes and I promise to try to do everything right. • Exercise. We very active creatures, us dogs (or is it we dogs?). To maintain our health and overall happiness, daily runs are a must. Let me stretch out my lungs and feel my heart race when we play ball and tug. Don’t just stick to leash-walking…how would you like to be on a leash all the time? Find me a place where I can run and play. Because you’ve trained me, I now know that when you call my name, it means that I should ignore everything that I am focused on and race to you, so I promise to listen if you’ll just let me have the chance. Take me to a dog park or field daily (or even just as often as you can!) and let me really stretch my legs! • Medical Care. I will try my best to stay healthy and keep away from illness or disease, but I know that if I need to see an animal doctor, you will bring in immediately and make sure I feel better quickly. I may not like the annual visits where I get a few mosquito bites called "shots" and that weird thing you put up my...nevermind, but I trust you and that it is in my best interest to tolerate these visits. The cookies make it worthwhile and sometimes when we go in to just say hi? AWESOME! I know they care about me too, so I'll do my best to stand still. You tell me I go so that I don't get REALLY sick later, and I believe you. You're my mom, after all, and you have those thumbs that let you turn pages to books and pen doorknobs... Final thoughts: Thanks again for being my human mom, my leader, my team mate, my friend. I promise to try and be the dog you want me to be. To listen when you need to vent, console you when you’re down, protect you from bad things, jump for joy with you when something good comes along, and be the best friend you’ll ever have. I promise to be there for you until the last breath has gone from my body. Even after, there is a place called Rainbow Bridge, where I promise to wait for you until you can join me once again. I love you, Mom. If reincarnation exists, may you come back as one of your own pets!